The service and sacrifice of Black Americans in defense of the United States has been the primary engine which has driven political, economic, and social progress for Blacks in this nation. Throughout this span of over two hundred years, African Americans have contributed mightily to the cause of liberty. This book is devoted to tracing the service and accomplishments of African Americans in Iowa. In his unique storytelling style, Morris shares the personal accounts and heroic actions of Black soldiers, along with an impressive set of photographs and documentation. Morris says every soldier he interviewed said essentially the same thing; "We didn't fight for America as it was; we fought for what America could become for our people." Iowa had more Tuskegee Airmen per capita, than any state in the nation and they were decorated with numerous military medals.

In his book, "In Defense of the Nation: Black Iowans at War", William chronicles the contributions and trials of black soldiers from the Civil War to the Persian Gulf War . In his unique storytelling style, Morris shares the personal accounts and heroic actions of Black soldiers, along with an impressive set of photographs and documentation. Morris says every soldier he interviewed said essentially the same thing; "We didn't fight for America as it was; we fought for what America could become for our people." Iowa had more Tuskegee Airmen per capita, than any state in the nation and they were decorated with numerous military medals. Military service and personal sacrifice by these service men and women was the backbone of the economic, political and social advancement for African Americans. This book will inspire the next generation and expand their knowledge of Black achievement beyond slavery and racism.

William S. Morris is passionate about American history. He is a published author, educator, lawyer, historian, and public speaker. A visionary and conservative, Morris teaches and writes about African American history. His unique presentations travel back in time centuries before the intercontinental slave trade and explore the broad multi-generational African ancestral experience. He also lectures on Critical Race Theory and its adverse impacts on American public education. His book, "In Defense of the Nation: Black Iowans at War," chronicles the contributions and trail blazing feats of black soldiers from the Civil War through to the first Persian Gulf War. He lectures on African American history to inspire the next generation and expand their knowledge of Black achievement beyond slavery and racism. He also does public presentations on Critical Race Theory, Juneteenth, and Black Military History along with a list of other topics. William is a third-generation lawyer from Iowa where his family was deeply involved in the civil rights movement and newspaper publishing. Morris regularly shares his expertise on African American history and contemporary Black politics through public lectures and podcasts. Morris received his bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa and his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Iowa College of Law. He practiced law for 31 years but believes his greatest achievement was laying the groundwork for the building of the Fort Des Moines Museum and Education Center in Des Moines, Iowa. The project was built to honor the first US Army officer training class of African American men in 1917 (17th Provisional Training Regiment), and the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) which included black female soldiers during World War II. William and his brother, Robert Morris (1958-2018) built the foundation's board of directors. These men and women worked to procure grants, public funds on the local, state, and federal levels, corporate and private contributions, to create a $20 million fund to pay for the restoration of Fort Des Moines. The project included the visiting officers living quarters which serves as the museum, the chapel, a reflection pool and the monument sculpture, Victory, Victory by Richard Hunt William also served on the board of directors of the Iowa State Historical Society. He is a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.