Celebrating Arab American Heritage Month: Arab Americans and Military

 In honor of Arab American Heritage month, we highlight Arab Americans who served for our country.

Private Nathan Badeen, a Syrian man who died fighting during the American Revolution was the first immigrant who died on May 23rd, 1776, just 5 weeks before Independence Day. The first major set of Syrian immigrants arrived in the United States from Ottoman, Syria, in the period between 1889 and 1914. Fast-forwarding to World War 1, it is reported that 13,965 Syrian Americans served and fought for our country. During the Civil War, Arab American, Moses Osman, became the captain of the Union army. Osman was part 104th regiment of the Illinois infantry and was the highest-ranking Muslim in the war. By battling on the side of the Union, he ensured to preserve the unity of this nation and to end slavery. Osman is originally from Pennsylvania.

Ambassador Philip Habib, a former undersecretary for political affairs played an important role in the Vietnam War peace talks. Habib was an authority on Southeast Asia, a peace negotiator in the Middle East, and special envoy to some of the world's most dangerous “flash points”. Born in Brooklyn in 1920, Habib attended University of Idaho, where he studied forestry. Later, he graduated with a Ph.D. in economics from University of California, Berkeley. In 1949, as a Foreign Service Officer, Habib worked in countries such as Canada, New Zealand, and Trinidad. As the Vietnam war began to increase rapidly, Habib also served as a political counselor in Saigon in 1965. In doing so, Habib was recognized skillful in the region. Thus, allowing him to serve in Washington as Deputy Assistant Secretary for the East Asian and Pacific Affairs, and then serving for three-and-a-half years on the Vietnam War peace talks in Paris. In 1982, Habib was awarded the nation’s highest civilian award, The Presidential Medal of Freedom. 

Selwa "Lucky" Roosevelt, is prominent for her role as chief of protocol from 1982 to 1989. Before becoming chief of protocol, Selwa developed a passion for journalism. After graduating in New York from Vassar College, Selwa often covered social events in Washington D.C. In doing so, Nancy Reagan and Mike Deaver invited Selwa to take the placement of Chief of Protocol after showcasing her aptitude as a reporter. As Chief of Protocol, Selwa  organized over 1,000 visits of world leaders to the United States and directed the restoration of the President’s guest house, also known as the Blair House. In November, 2003, Selwa Roosevelt was interviewed by Charles Stuart where she talked about growing up in Tennessee as a daughter of Lebanese Druze immigrants and following her dream in journalism.