Happy Veterans Day! 30 Celebrities Who Served In The Military

Tuesday (Nov 11) marks the annual observation of the Veterans Day holiday to celebrate and honor America’s men and women who served the country in the military. Originating in 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson, Veterans Day honors those selfless Americans who sacrificed their lives to defend and fight for the country. TRENDING: 25 Free Meals, Deals and Discounts for Veterans Day That esteemed group includes a number of celebrities and famous Black folks who also served in the U.S. military. However, there isn’t always a nuanced image of veterans and we must as a nation remember that they have come — and are still coming — in all colors and backgrounds.

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There are plenty of familiar Black people who took time out of their lives to serve in the United States armed forces. Black people broke the United States’ military color barrier in the 1700s when Crispus Attucks became the first person to die in the Revolutionary War during what would come to be known as the Boston Massacre. Following that, thousands of Black soldiers who were slaves as well as free men fought in the Continental Army and state militias during America’s war for independence from Great Britain. That trend of Black people serving in the United States military has only flourished over the past centuries, with many emerging as war heroes. Some of them have gone on to become famous for other things, from serving in presidential administrations to becoming global pop stars to making iconic films, and more. Scroll down to our photo gallery of some African American former servicemen and women you knew about, and maybe a few you didn’t.

1. Mr. T

Before becoming an iconic actor in the 1980s, the mohawked Mr. T served as a military policeman in the Army.

2. Elgin Baylor

Served on active duty while still playing for the Lakers, missing 48 games one season due to military obligations.

3. David Robinson

Nicknamed “The Admiral,” Robinson graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served two years active duty before joining the San Antonio Spurs and winning two NBA championships.

4. Jackie Robinson

Robinson served from 1942–1944 during World War II. He was court-martialed (and later acquitted) for refusing to move to the back of a segregated bus — a pivotal moment that foreshadowed his later civil rights impact in baseball.

5. Bill Withers

Withers served nine years as an aircraft mechanic before launching his music career. His time in service preceded timeless hits like “Ain’t No Sunshine” and “Lean on Me.”

6. Nate Dogg

Nate Dogg was in the U.S. Marine Corps. He joined at age 17 after dropping out of high school and served for three years as an ammunition specialist, including a tour in Okinawa, Japan. He was discharged in 1989.

7. Freddie Gibbs

Freddie Gibbs served in the U.S. Army for about eight months through a pre-trial diversion program to avoid jail time for theft and gun charges. He was discharged after being caught smoking marijuana and was reportedly dishonorably discharged, but he later said he “hated every minute” of his service.

8. Canibus

Canibus (born Germaine Williams) served in the U.S. Army, enlisting in 2002 at age 28. He was later discharged in 2004 after being caught smoking marijuana. During his time in the Army, he trained as a cavalry scout and helped write doctrine for Stryker vehicles.

9. Rob49

Rob49 enlisted in the National Guard after high school and also served in the Army. His military service provided him with a sense of confidence and was a significant experience that helped him develop discipline and learn to navigate different environments.  

10. Malice of The Clipse

Gene “Malice” Thornton, Jr. served in the U.S. Army for three years, from 1991 to 1994. He enlisted after high school to support his family and worked as a generator mechanic during his service. This military experience predated the start of the Clipse’s career with his brother, Pusha T.

11. Montel Williams

Well before becoming known for having his own talk show, Williams enlisted in the U.S. Marines after graduating high school in 1974. He took basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina, where he was promoted to platoon guide. After basic training, he was sent to the Desert Warfare Training Center at Twenty-nine Palms, near Palm Springs, California. Following that he enrolled in the U.S. Naval Academy and enlisted in the navy, where he ultimately left with the rank of lieutenant and received the Navy Achievement Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Navy Commendation Medal.

12. Mystikal

Mystikal served in the United States Army as a combat engineer during Operation Desert Storm. He enlisted after high school in 1988 and was deployed during the Gulf War.

13. Charlie Rangel

Before representing Harlem for decades in Congress, Rangle earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for his service in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, where he led a group of soldiers out of a deadly Chinese army encirclement during the Battle of Kunu-ri in 1950.

14. Sinbad

Before becoming a successful comedian and actor, Sinbad served in the United States Air Force as a boom operator aboard KC-135 Stratotankers.

15. MC Hammer

Before selling millions of records as a global rap star, MC Hammer served as a Third Class Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy.

16. Shaggy

Before becoming a mega pop star, Shaggy served in the United States Marine Corps as a Field Artillery Cannon Crewman and also served with a Field Artillery Battery in the 10th Marine Regiment during the Persian Gulf War.

17. Morgan Freeman

Freeman was an Airman 1st Class in the Air Force before becoming an Oscar Award-winning actor.

18. Harry Belafonte

The singer and activist served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

19. James Earl Jones

The late actor enrolled in ROTC at the University of Michigan before joining the Army during the Korean War, going on to become a second lieutenant before being honorably discharged.

20. Ice-T

Before conquering the worlds of hip-hop and Hollywood, Ice-T joined the Army in 1979 and spent four years as a soldier.

21. Sheryl Underwood

From Defense.gov:

“Comedian and actress Sheryl Underwood enlisted in the Air Force as a field medic in 1981, after graduating from high school in Atwater, California.  

“Basic training was at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, where she couldn’t even run a mile upon arrival. But through encouragement by her drill instructors, she was able to complete the challenging physical requirements. 

“Subsequent duty stations included Travis AFB, California; Maxwell AFB, Alabama; Sheppard AFB, Texas; and, Castle AFB, California. 

“Later, she moved to Chicago and joined the O’Hare Air Reserve Station, an Air Force Reserve unit at O’Hare Field.  

“While there, she deployed in support of several exercises that included two Exercise Reforgers in West Germany and Team Spirit in South Korea.”

22. Marvin Gaye

From Essence:

“When he was 17 years old, Marvin ran away from home to join the U.S. Air Force. Gaye had trouble following orders from his strict sergeant and was honorably discharged in 1956.”

23. Jimi Hendrix

From Military.com:

“Brought up in a broken home in Seattle, young James Marshall Hendrix’s stint in the Army wasn’t necessarily voluntary: he was already honing his guitar skills in 1961 when a run-in with the law over stolen cars led to a choice: he could either spend two years in prison or join the Army. He enlisted on May 31, 1961 and was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, where he was stationed in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.”

24. Berry Gordy

https://www.instagram.com/p/BbxEdT8nZN0/

From the History Makers website:

“Gordy served in the U.S. Army’s 58th Field Artillery Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division from 1951 until 1953, also serving as a chaplain’s assistant, playing the organ at religious services. After discharge from military service, he began writing songs and opened 3-D Record Mart, which mostly sold jazz music.”

25. Sherman Hemsley

Hemsley served four years before pursuing acting. Later became famous as George Jefferson on The Jeffersons.

26. Charles S. Dutton

Served in the Marines before turning to acting while incarcerated. He later earned acclaim for Roc and Alien 3.

27. Richard Roundtree

Served before his breakthrough as Shaft in 1971, becoming a trailblazer in Blaxploitation cinema.

28. Richard Pryor

Served in the late 1950s but spent time in military prison after a fight. Pryor often referenced the chaos of his service in his stand-up, turning painful experiences into raw, truthful comedy that broke barriers.

29. Eddie Griffin

Eddie Griffin enlisted briefly but was discharged early for disciplinary reasons. His time in service became part of his early stand-up material about authority and rebellion.

30. Sammy Davis Jr.

Sammy Davis Jr. served in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he endured racial abuse before being transferred to an entertainment Special Services unit. After his service, he continued to support the military, famously visiting troops in Vietnam to perform for them during the war.