From the slopes of Bunker Hill, to a war of freedom, to WWI and WWII, to desegregation to Iraq and Afghanistan – black American service members have given their all, selflessly and often without reward, but with hope.

In the spirit of our nation's Black History Month, Military Times is declaring Black Military History Month. Throughout February, we will reveal amazing stories of service and sacrifice. This is not a futile attempt to encapsulate the African-American military experience, but to celebrate some of the stories that have made that experience what it is today.

Visit militarytimes.com/blackhistory to learn more about these and other men and women, past and present, who have made their mark on a timeline that dates back centuries:

Crispus Attucks, who died in 1770 at the hands of British soldiers during a protest that would become known as the Boston Massacre. Some consider Attucks, a runaway slave, to be the first casualty of the Revolutionary War.

Dan Bullock, the youngest American service member killed during the Vietnam War. Bullock enlisted at age 14 and was a 15-year-old Marine private first class in 1969 when his combat base near Da Nang came under attack.

Doris Miller, who earned a Navy Cross for his actions during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and was later killed in action while serving on an escort carrier that was sunk by a Japanese submarine.

Melvin Morris, a Green Beret whose heroism in Vietnam earned him the Distinguished Service Cross. After a review of his actions in 2002, his award was one of two dozen upgraded to the Medal of Honor.

Jackie Robinson, who broke baseball's color barrier … but not before a brush with military justice in Texas.

Larry Spencer, whose Air Force career spanned more than 40 years and took him through the enlisted ranks to the role of service vice chief.

Cathay Williams, who in 1866 became the first African-American woman to enlist in the Army by telling her recruiter she was a man named William Cathay.

Military Times' Black Military History Month is celebrated in partnership with the following organizations:

Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.

• Buffalo Soldiers

Air Force Association

•  The ROCKS, Inc.

•  Korean War Veterans Association, USA

American Veterans Center

GI Film Festival 

HistoryNet.com

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) 

• Shades of Blue

World War I Centennial Commission 

Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation

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