'03 Springfield Picture of the Day

[CapnJohn]

Buffalo Soldiers
1917-1918 - World War I - Over 200,000 Black soldiers made it to France, equaling 9.2% of the American Expeditionary Force. Most were in support units. But the all-black 92nd and 93rd Infantry Divisions lost 773 killed in action (1.4% of U.S. total) and 4,408 wounded in action.

During WW1, the Army had planned to raise 2 all-black divisions. Only the 92nd "Buffalo" Infantry Division was formed at Camp Upton, NY. The 92nd Division consisted of approximately 25,000 black enlisted men and 1,000 white and black officers. The division departed for France in June 1918 and was assigned to a quiet sector of the front lines. They did see some combat service in the Meuse-Argounne offensive on 24 September 1918. The 92nd Division returned to the US and was demobilized in March 1919.
The 93rd Division. The regiments fought in several battles alongside French troops, who were already used to colonial North and Sub-Saharan African "colored" soldiers (noirs). All regiments acquitted themselves well and received unit citations from the French. Numerous individual soldiers exhibited extraordinary heroism and were highly decorated by the French. One of these was Cpl. Freddie Stowers, who decades after his death would be awarded the American Medal of Honor. The division's shoulder patch, with its blue French Adrian helmet, commemorated this period.

Total casualties from all regiments in the 93rd were 3,534 (killed-in-action 467; wounded-in-action 3,067).



On their return home they march in a Victory Parade. Note the receiver covers on their rifles.
Buffalo Soldiers National Museum - for further information.

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