President Harry S. Truman issued the executive order to desegregate the military in 1948. Executive Order 9981 abolished racial segregation in the U.S. Armed Forces, stating that it was against national policy to discriminate based on race, color, religion, or national origin. This decision was influenced by the growing momentum of the Civil Rights Movement and the realization that a united military is essential for national defense, especially in the context of the Cold War. The order marked a significant step toward racial equality within the military, paving the way for further integration and the eventual end of segregation in the Armed Forces.