The Buffalo Soldiers in WWI

On April 6th, 1917, the United States officially entered World War I as Congress swiftly passed a Declaration of War against Germany. Many African Americans expected the regular Army troopers of the Buffalo Soldiers to be part of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) sent to France to battle the Kaiser. However, behind closed doors, politicians and high-ranking members of the military saw to it that the four regular Army Buffalo Soldier regiments were conveniently dispatched to inconvenient locales throughout the central U.S. and even into the Pacific. In fact, the highest ranking African American officer of the time, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Young, was deemed medically unqualified and forced into retirement shortly after the U.S. entered the Great War.

The 9th Cavalry were already dispatched in the Philippines, the 10th Cavalry was patrolling the U.S. & Mexico border, the 24th Infantry was also on the Mexico border and the 25th infantry was stationed in Hawaii. None of the regular Army Buffalo Soldier regiments ever saw duty with the AEF in France during WWI. As hard as those in power fought to prevent African Americans from serving in any major capacity during the war, the demand for manpower quickly demonstrated to all that in order to defeat the Axis, more men would be needed regardless of their color. While the regular Army Buffalo Soldiers were exiled away from WWI action, the National Army would eventually have to conscript tens of thousands of additional African Americans to join the fight for democracy in the Great War.

The U.S. organized two divisions of segregated men, the 92nd Division and the 93rd Division for WWI. The 92nd would carry the name “Buffalo Soldiers” as their nickname and the 93rd would be known as the “Blue Helmets.” Even though these African Americans established an African American presence in the AEF, American leaders at the top would still shun them. Much of the 92nd would be relegated to logistics and support, behind the front lines. When both divisions arrived in France, General John "Black Jack" Pershing was more than willing to lend both divisions to the French army to fight under the French command and flag. Parts of the 92nd would see combat action in France while mostly all of the 93rd would fight in combat. These African-American soldiers would wear the American uniform, but would don the blue French helmet and utilize French military equipment. They quickly dispelled the American Army’s belief that they were inferior soldiers as they heroically and valiantly fought in fierce combat throughout the war. As a result of their actions, France would award several honors and medals upon multiple regiments in both divisions. Some of these noble awards were equivalent to the U.S. Medal of Honor. Several soldiers from both divisions received the coveted French Croix de Guerre (Cross of War) medal for their exemplary and heroic fighting during WWI. It would take more than seven decades after the war for the United States to confer two Medals of Honor to two African-American soldiers for their heroism and selfless service. Corporal Freddie Stowers for his actions on September 28th, 1918 posthumously received his medal on April 24th, 1991 and Sergeant Henry Johnson for his actions on May 15th, 1918 posthumously received his medal on June 2nd, 2015. Both men served in the 93rd Division.



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