African American Soldiers Analysis

Afro-am soldier

African-American soldiers have distinguished themselves in military service dating back to the American civil war.

There is a little known story In Philippine history about the Philippine-American war of 1899-1902, the fact is one American citizen fought for the Philippine liberation forces. David Fagen is an African-American soldier, who defected to Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo's forces to fight his own countrymen. David is from Tampa, Florida, born around 1875; enlisted for the 24th infantry. The 24th infantry is one of four "black" regiments, who arrived in the Philippines to augment the white American troops, occupying the Archipelago. The black regiments of the US armed forces were at the fore front of major skirmishes with the "Insurrectos" or rebels of Central Luzon. Fagen however,was said to have experienced racism in the predominantly white military, and was often ridiculed and given "tough jobs".

On November 17,1899, David Fagen left his post and made his way to the rebel stronghold at Mt. Arayat in Pampanga, where he presented his services to Gen. Aguinaldo the President of the Philippines. David proved his skill in battle and is recorded to have clashed with American forces at least eight times (1900-1901), his most famous bravado was when he helped capture a steam launch in Pampanga, and seize it's cache of guns. Philippine Army chief of staff Gen. Jose Alejandrino promoted Fagen to the rank of Captain on September 6, 1900; The New York Times even made a feature article about him describing him as "highly skilled guerilla officer". The American military put a bounty on his head for $1,000(USD), later a Filipino hunter, Anastacio Bartolome went to the military base; and brought a sack containing a head allegedly belonging to