New Headstones Unveiled for Buffalo Soldiers of 24th Infantry Regiment
In an unprecedented ceremonial salute to the past, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs has righted a historical injustice by restoring honors to the 110 Black soldiers who were unfairly convicted amidst the infamous Houston riots of 1917. These valiant servicemen, members of the all-Black 24th Infantry Regiment famously known as the Buffalo Soldiers, had their headstones replaced at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas today.
Overturning a Century-Old Injustice
The reparation for these men has been long overdue. More than a century has passed since the race riots, a turbulent point in history when social tensions ran high. The soldiers of the all-Black 24th Infantry Regiment who served the country during such trying times were neither appreciated nor respected due to entrenched racial prejudices.
The Houston Riots Trials
During the trials following the Houston riots, 19 men were hanged at Fort Sam Houston for their supposed roles in the violent incidents. This trial for mutiny goes down in history as the largest murder trial in American history. “Can you balance the scales by what we’re doing?” questioned a descendant of a serviced member, adding, “I don’t know, but it’s an attempt. It’s an attempt to make things right.”
The Path to Justice
A step towards rectifying this historical wrong was initially taken two years ago when the servicemen were acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs with an educational marker at the cemetery. In 2023, in a landmark move, the Army overturned the convictions of the 110 Buffalo Soldiers, acknowledging that they “were wrongly treated because of their race and were not given fair trials.”
New Headstones to Honor the Soldiers
Following the Army’s decision, the Department of Veterans Affairs installed new headstones to honor the men of the 24th Infantry. The new headstones now display the soldiers’ rank, unit, and home state. Until now, the headstones bore only an execution date—a stark reminder of the soldiers’ untimely and unjust demise. “This day in some small way reflects the progress we have made as a nation, since these men were first interred here over a century ago,” commented a representative from the Veterans Affairs Department.
Final Steps Towards Recognition
The ceremonial replacement of the headstones is seen as the final step in giving these servicemen the recognition they deserve. Symbols of their service—burial flags and certificates of honorable discharge—were also presented to descendants of these World War I veterans. This gesture marks an emphatic attempt at making amends and honoring the soldiers’ service. “The focus is on restoring dignity, honor, and respect,” the representative further added.
Though the events of the past cannot be undone, steps like these indicate rejuvenated efforts to learn from history and work towards sincere reconciliation and reform.