It is hereby declared to be the policy of the president that there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion or national origin. this policy shall be put into effect as rapidly as possible, having due regard to the time required to effectuate ſimplement] any necessary changes without impairing efficiency or - section 1, executive order 9981 17. the purpose of executive order 9981, issued by president harry truman, was to (1) encourage women to join the armed services (2) end racial segregation in the military (3) ensure adequate manpower to fight the korean war (4) establish war crimes tribunals in western europe