Traces the legal, political, and moral campaign for equality that led to Harry Truman's 1948 desegregation of the U.S. military, documenting the contributions of black troops since the Revolutionary War and their efforts to counter racism on the fields and on military bases.

The cause of liberty -- The first to come and the last to leave -- The only real neutral -- Report to God the reason why -- Tragedy and triumph : Houston and Des Moines -- The travels of Emmett J. Scott and the travails of Colonel Charles Young -- France by way of Carolina -- The lost children -- Disillusioned by Armistice -- Old draft in a new day -- Politics unusual -- Follow the gleam -- Some minor county office -- Thundering resentment in the voice of God -- The U.S.S. Miller -- The double v -- Harvest of disorder : the Army -- The Army Air Corps -- "Entitled to a showdown" : the Navy Under Secretary Knox and the Truman committee -- The Navy and Marine Corps Under Secretary Forrestal -- From senator to vice-president to president in 100 days -- V-day deferred -- The Noah's ark committee -- The blinding of Isaac Woodard and the signing of Executive Order 9981 -- Freedom to serve -- The museum and the mirror.