Buffalo Soldiers; Heroes Across Many Wars

According+to+the+Association+for+the+Study+of+African+American+Life+and+History%2C+Black+History+Month+dates+back+to+1915.+Carter+G.+Woodson%2C+founder+of+the+ASALH+and+Black+History+Month%2C+chose+the+month+of+February+for+the+observance+because+it+includes+the+birthdays+of+Abraham+Lincoln+and+Frederick+Douglass.+%28U.S.+Air+Force+graphic+by+Tommy+Brown%2FReleased%29

502nd Air Base Wing

According to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Black History Month dates back to 1915. Carter G. Woodson, founder of the ASALH and Black History Month, chose the month of February for the observance because it includes the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Tommy Brown/Released)

By Reid Pitts, Staff Writer, Staff Photographer

Conceived during the American Civil War, battalions of African America soldiers were formed for the Union. These soldiers fought valiantly and were later christened “Buffalo Soldiers.”

The Buffalo Soldiers fought in every American conflict from the American Indian wars to World War Two.

A little known fact about the soldiers is that they were some of the first to become park rangers.

Often confronted with prejudice, the soldiers had to grow used to racial attacks from citizens in cities where they were stationed.

The Buffalo Soldiers contributed greatly to American war efforts and produced many medal of honor recipients.

A Buffalo Soldier museum is located in Houston, Texas