Idwal Edwards entered Bloomsburg State Normal School in December 1911 to prepare for a teaching career, graduating with the class of 24 June 1914.

[3][4] Before joining the military, Edwards became principal of schools in Sterling, near Scranton, and entered Brown University in fall 1916.

As evidence of progress, Edwards pointed to the peaceful integration of black officers in training at Randolph Field.

Edwards further stated that air force policy was considered "the best way to make this thing work under present conditions."

[6] 26 July 1948, President Harry S. Truman's executive order eventually ended racial segregation in the armed forces with the last all-Black unit disbanded in 1952.