Muslims in the United States military facts for kids

Muslims have been a part of the United States military for a very long time. They have served and fought for their country since the American Revolutionary War. Records show that some Muslims helped fight for America's freedom back then.

Muslims have taken part in all major United States conflicts. This includes the War of 1812, the American Civil War, World War I, and World War II. They also served in the Vietnam War. More recently, Muslims have served in the Gulf War, the Iraq War, and the War in Afghanistan.

In 1993, the Army asked for a special symbol for Muslim chaplains. A crescent design was finished in 1994. By 2015, about 5,896 American Muslims were serving in the United States military.

A special ceremony for the U.S. Navy's first Muslim chaplain in 1996. A Jewish chaplain is adding the new Muslim Chaplain symbol to his uniform.

Early Muslim Service in the US Military

Muslims have fought and died in big wars like World War II and the Vietnam War. Some Muslim Americans served in World War II in places like North Africa, Europe, and Asia. At least 12 Muslims are known to have died during the Vietnam War.

War of 1812: Defending Georgia

During the War of 1812, a brave African man named Bilali Muhammad helped protect Georgia's Sapelo Island from British attacks. He led a group of 80 slaves, most of whom were Muslim. They were armed with muskets to defend the island.

Civil War: Muslim Soldiers

About 291 Muslims are known to have fought during the American Civil War. One important Muslim soldier was Nicholas Said. He came to the United States in 1860 and became a teacher. In 1863, Said joined the 55th Massachusetts Colored Regiment in the United States Army. He became a sergeant. Later, he moved to a military hospital and learned about medicine. Army records say he died in Tennessee in 1882. Another Muslim soldier from the Civil War was Max Hassan. He was an African man who worked for the military as a porter.

After World War II: Religious Tags

After World War II, a Muslim-American veteran named Abdullah Igram worked hard to make sure Islam could be listed as a religion for service members. His group helped create special tags that soldiers could wear by 1953. These tags included options like 'other' or 'prefer not to say' for religion. By the time of the Vietnam War, soldiers could choose from a long list of specific religion names.

Muslim Service After 9/11

After the September 11 attacks, more attention was given to Muslim Americans serving in the military. From 2001 to 2011, over 6,000 Muslim-American troops served overseas. At least 14 of them were killed in Iraq. In December 2015, about 5,896 of the 1.3 million active US military members said they were Muslim. This is about 0.45% of the total force.

Sometimes, practicing Muslims in the military face challenges. For example, they are usually required to shave their beards. It can also be hard for them to find food that meets their dietary needs. Events like the Khizr Khan speech at the 2016 Democratic National Convention brought more public discussion about Muslim American involvement in the US military.

Notable Muslims in the Military

Humayun Khan: A Hero's Sacrifice

Humayun Khan was born in the United Arab Emirates in 1976. His parents were from Pakistan. After finishing college in 2000, he joined the U.S. Army. He became an officer. On June 8, 2004, he was killed by a car bomb. He saved the lives of his fellow soldiers. His parents, Khizr and Ghazala Khan, spoke at the 2016 Democratic National Convention. They defended their son and other soldiers who died serving America. Their speech became a very important moment in the 2016 election.

Colonel Douglas Burpee: Marine Pilot

Colonel Douglas Burpee is a retired U.S. Marine. He flew helicopters for 27 years. Burpee was born into a Christian family but became Muslim when he was 19. This happened in the late 1970s while he was in college. After graduating, he joined the Officers Candidates' School in Quantico, VA. When he retired, Colonel Burpee was the highest-ranking Muslim in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Muslim American Military Insignia

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  Muslim Chaplain insignia, Army

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  Muslim Chaplain insignia, Navy

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  Muslim Chaplain insignia, Air Force