Kenneth Claiborne Royall

US Army general and Secretary of War and Army (1894–1971)

Born: July 24, 1894 · Died: May 25, 1971

Politics & GovernmentWar & ConflictSocial & Human Rights

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Overview

Born / Died

July 24, 1894 – May 25, 1971

Role

US Army general and Secretary of War and Army (1894–1971)

Career

Royall served as the first Secretary of the Army from 1947 to 1949, until he was compelled into retirement for refusing to comply with President Harry S. Truman's Executive Order 9981 for racial desegregation of the military forces of the United States.

Major work

Truman's Executive Order 9981 for racial desegregation of the military forces of the United States.

Significance

Kenneth Claiborne Royall Sr.

Who was Kenneth Claiborne Royall?

Kenneth Claiborne Royall lived from July 24, 1894 to May 25, 1971. Kenneth Claiborne Royall Sr. (July 24, 1894 – May 25, 1971) was a U.S. Army general and the last man to hold the office of Secretary of War, which was abolished in 1947.

Historical significance

Life and career timeline: Kenneth Claiborne Royall

1894 Born July 24 1894
1947 First Secretary of the Army after War Department abolished
1948 Executive Order 9981 signed July 26 1948 mandating desegregation
1949 Forced retirement for refusing to comply with Executive Order 9981
1971 Died May 25 1971

Related on thisDay

How Did Truman's Desegregation Order Unfold?

On July 26, 1948, President Harry Truman signed Executive Order 9981, banning segregation across the United States Armed Forces.

Sources and further reading

Use the dated article for the day-specific account; use these references to check the event record and explore its wider historical context.

Date article: How Did Truman's Desegregation Order Unfold?Wikipedia source