What was the role of African-Americans during WWI?

Approximately 40,000 African-Americans served in combat roles during WWI, fighting mainly with the French army.  The 92nd and 93rd Divisions fought bravely in the final Allied offensive of the war.  Henry Johnson and Needham Roberts were the first Americans to receive the Croix de Guerre.  One regiment from the 93rd division was also the first American unit to reach the Rhine River in Germany following the Armistice.

Most African-Americans were treated poorly during the war....

Approximately 40,000 African-Americans served in combat roles during WWI, fighting mainly with the French army.  The 92nd and 93rd Divisions fought bravely in the final Allied offensive of the war.  Henry Johnson and Needham Roberts were the first Americans to receive the Croix de Guerre.  One regiment from the 93rd division was also the first American unit to reach the Rhine River in Germany following the Armistice.

Most African-Americans were treated poorly during the war.  They were often put in support units guarding supply depots or as stevedores unloading dangerous explosives from supply ships.  The Army segregated units by race at this time, and African-Americans were banned from higher leadership roles.  The French Army and population typically treated the African-Americans better than their American counterparts, and many African-Americans returned to the U.S. after the war with a desire of pushing for greater equality, especially since this was a war to "save democracy."