A panel discussion was held on the argument that desegregation would impair military efficiency and unit cohesion and why President Truman chose to issuing an executive order desegregating the military. Opening remarks were made by President Truman’s grandson and moderator Juan Williams.
Major General Vance Coleman (Ret.), who served in the Korean War, and Oliver Vincent Shields, who served during World War II, talked about their experiences of serving in segregated Army units. 
“The History of Racial Discrimination in the U.S. Military” was the first panel of the “Freedom to Serve -- Then and Now” forum honoring the 61st anniversary of President Truman’s signing of Executive Order 9981 that ended racial segregation in the armed forces. The forum was held in the auditorium of the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum in Independence, Missouri, from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. CT on Monday, July 27, 2009. The event was co-sponsored by Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.