An Army Afire: How the US Army Confronted Its Racial Crisis in the Vietnam Era

by Beth Bailey

By the late 1960s, what had been widely heralded as the best qualified, best-trained army in US history was descending into crisis as the Vietnam War raged without end. Morale was tanking. AWOL rates were rising. And in August 1968, a group of Black soldiers seized control of the infamous Long Binh Jail, burned buildings, and beat a white inmate to death with a shovel. The days of "same mud, same blood" were over, and a new generation of Black GIs had decisively rejected the slights and institutional racism their forefathers had endured.
 
As Black and white soldiers fought in barracks and bars, with violence spilling into surrounding towns within the US and in West Germany, Vietnam, South Korea, and Japan, army leaders grew convinced that the growing racial crisis undermined the army's ability to defend the nation. Acclaimed military historian Beth Bailey shows how the US Army tried to solve that racial crisis (in army terms, "the problem of race"). Army leaders were surprisingly creative in confronting demands for racial justice, even willing to challenge fundamental army principles of discipline, order, hierarchy, and authority. Bailey traces a frustrating yet fascinating story, as a massive, conservative institution came to terms with demands for change.

Genres: History, United States

360 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2023

Reviews

[Craig Werner · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent monograph from an accomplished historian of the 1960s and 1970s. An Army Afire documents the emergence of racial tension as a central issue for the military in the late 1960s following a period in which the Army had been widely, and with some justification, viewed as one of the least segregated institutions in American life. Loved her section on the uprising at the Long Binh Jail. The book centers on the military's attempts to deal with the crisis which in some ways were more creative and far-reaching than anywhere in the cultural mainstream. At times, I thought she honed a bit too closely to the military perspective, but never in ways that harmed the impact of her important research.

[LaShanda Chamberlain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historically, the U.S. Armed Forces have been seen as leaders in reducing racial disparities in the nation. While this is largely true, the journey to equality was filled with challenges. In her book, Beth Bailey provides a detailed and insightful look at the U.S. Army's struggles with racial tension and the difficulty of making changes in such a large organization. This well-researched work is essential for historians and anyone interested in modern military issues.

Although I never served in the U.S. Military, my family has ties to all branches of the armed forces. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely riveting and topical book that looks at how an institution as large and powerful as the US military tried to address structural racism and why they thought doing so was so important.

[Billy L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Self proclaimed Vietnam war nerd here… and also a soon to be Veteran after 20 years of service. It was very interesting learning of the Army’s problems with race during the 60’s and 70’s. Even better was reading of problems that happened at bases and forts around the world where I have been stationed; because this allowed me now to deep dive and think of I noticed any nonsense while I was stationed at those places.
Nonetheless, if you’re remotely interested in Army SHARP and/or EO training, and would like to know how and where this evolved from in the historical aspect of an army going from conscription to and All-volunteer force, you’ll absolutely love this read.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling history of how the US Army sought to address racial tension in its ranks. Bailey's account is well-researched and shows the difficulty in creating change in a large organization. The book has much for historians of the era and those interested in contemporary force structure issues.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thorough examination. The Army, large and bureaucratic and still tradition-bound, took on its racial "problem" in the late 1960s and early 70s. There are well known political and military leaders...and many lesser known. A compelling story.

[Joseph Stieb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm reviewing this for a journal, but let me just say in summary that it's an outstanding book about social conflict and real reform in the US Army. Actually has a pretty happy ending too!

[Rolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A straight-forward historical documentation and analysis of racism in the US armed forces during and after Vietnam.

I would hope every officer in each branch of the armed forces would read this.

[Tim Verleg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Droge stof, gebrekkige argumentatie, en enkele zaken die erin missen maar wel belangrijk zijn. Het onderwerp zelf pakte mij daarnaast echt totaal niet, maar dat is dan meer persoonlijk

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good. Institutional history.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beth Bailey’s work is always incredible, and this is a much-needed volume.