New Books in History Gerald F. Goodwin, "Race in the Crucible of War: African American Servicemen and the War in Vietnam" (U Massachusetts Press, 2023)
Jan 26, 2026
Gerald F. Goodwin, historian and author who documents Black servicemen in Vietnam through oral histories. He explores how racial conflict followed soldiers into war. He discusses research methods, veterans' perspectives on Vietnamese civilians, motivations to serve, and the difficult realities returning home.
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First Fully Desegregated Major Conflict
- The Vietnam War was the first major conflict fought by a desegregated U.S. force from start to finish.
- About 300,000 of 2.5 million American service members in Vietnam were African American, making their contribution significant.
Oral History Reveals Hidden Patterns
- Traditional archives understate Black servicemen's experiences, requiring oral histories and diverse sources.
- Goodwin corroborated interviews with newspapers, archives, and documents to find consistent patterns.
Veterans Opened Doors For Research
- Chaplain Wes Gary immediately recruited veterans to be interviewed and supported Goodwin's project.
- George Brumell also called contacts and insisted they be interviewed, showing grassroots trust-building.
