World War I was a turning point not only for America’s role on the global stage but also for race relations within its own borders. The draft of Black men into the Army revealed both the nation’s reliance on their service and its reluctance to grant them equality. In Marching Without Applause, Thomas Bradley explores how this tension gave rise to one of the most significant milestones in military history:

When America entered World War I in 1917, the draft brought thousands of Black men into the Army. They were eager to serve, but the nation was not eager to let them lead. Segregation and prejudice meant that while Black soldiers could fight, they were denied the dignity of officer commissions. Thomas Bradley’s debut book, Marching Without Applause (December 1, 2025), uncovers this forgotten fight for leadership. It tells the

Marching Without Applause: Courage, Faith, and Justice Thomas Bradley’s Marching Without Applause is more than a history book—it is a testament to faith and justice. It tells the story of Black soldiers drafted into World War I who, despite systemic prejudice, fought for the right to lead. Their perseverance resulted in the commissioning of Black officers through the Army’s first training camp dedicated to them. This achievement was not won