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Buffalo Soldiers was the name given by the Plains Indians to the United States Army regiments composed of African-American soldiers that served on the American frontier after the Civil War. The term came to be associated with any regiment of the army composed entirely of African-American soldiers.  Buffalo Soldier
Their name The are two stories of the nickname Buffalo soldiers: - Their hair resembled a buffalo's mane, or
- Their "ferocity, strength and stamina" was as the revered buffalo.
Their service During the Civil War, the US government formed regiments known as the United States Colored Troops (USCT) composed entirely of African-American soldiers led by white officers. At the end of the war the army reorganized and authorized the formation of two regiments of black cavalry with the designations 9th United States Cavalry and 10th United States Cavalry. Two regiments of infantry were formed at the same time. These units were composed of black enlisted men commanded by white officers (like: Brigadier General Grierson) with a few exceptions such as Henry O. Flipper.
From 1866 to the early 1890s these regiments served at a variety of posts in the southwest United States and Great Plains regions. During this period they participated in most of the military campaigns in these areas and earned a distinguished record. Thirteen enlisted men and six officers from these four regiments earned the Medal of Honor during the Indian Wars. In addition to the military campaigns, the "Buffalo Soldiers" served a variety of roles along the frontier from building roads to escorting the US mail.
After the Indian Wars ended in the 1890s the regiments continued to serve and participated in the Spanish-American War (including the Battle of San Juan Hill), where five more Medals of Honor were earned. They took part in the 1916 Punitive Expedition into Mexico and in the Philippine-American War.
Predjudice against them The "Buffalo Soldiers" were often confronted with racial prejudice from both other members of the US Army and civilians in the areas in which they were stationed and occasionally responded with violence. Elements of the "Buffalo Soldiers" were involved in racial disturbances in Rio Grande City, Texas in 1899, Brownsville, Texas in 1906, and at Houston, Texas in 1917.
The "Buffalo Soldiers" did not participate as organized units during World War I but experienced non-commissioned officers were provided to other segregated black units for combat service.
Early in the 20th century the "Buffalo Soldiers" found themselves being used more as laborers and service troops rather than active combat units. During World War II the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments were disbanded and the soldiers were moved into service oriented units. One of the infantry regiments, the 24th Infantry Regiment, served in combat in the Pacific theater.
Final history The 24th Infantry Regiment saw combat during the Korean War and was the last segregated regiment to engage in combat. The 24th was deactivated in 1951 and its soldiers were integrated into other units in Korea.
There is a monument to the Buffalo soldiers in the state of Kansas at Fort Leavenworth. Then-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell was present for the unveiling, as was actor Charlton Heston and the governor of Kansas.
see also: Tuskegee Airmen and United States Colored Troops
Buffalo Soldiers Portrayal in Modern Culture
Music Co-written by Bob Marley and King Sporty, the song "Buffalo Soldiers" (one of Bob Marley & the Wailers best known songs) first appeared on 1983's Confrontation. Many Jamaicans, especially Rastafarians like Marley identified with the "Buffalo Soldiers" as an example of prominent black men performed with honor in a field (the United States military) that had long been dominated entirely by whites.
Film In 1997 a television movie called Buffalo Soldiers starring Danny Glover was broadcast and drew attention to the role of the 'Buffalo Soldiers' in American military history.
In 2003, a film entitled Buffalo Soldiers was released to some controversy. Based on a 1992 novel by Robert O'Connor of the same name, the story takes place during the Cold War among (white) American soldiers stationed in Germany who sell goods on the black market. Some critics claimed the movie tarnished the reputation of the original group.
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