National Military Easter Sunrise Service: April 20

The annual Easter Sunrise Service, hosted by Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, will be held at Memorial Amphitheater on Sunday, April 20. 

Published on: Wednesday, April 2, 2025 read more ...

"Buffalo Soldiers" 

In 1866, after the United States Colored Troops (the official Army name for Black soldiers who fought in the U.S. Army during the Civil War), was disbanded, Congress established six all-Black Army regiments. They were initially assigned to fight on the western frontier, against American Indians who resisted settler expansion, from the 1860s through 1890s. While serving in the West, these service members gained their popular nickname: Buffalo Soldiers. Although no one knows for sure where the nickname “Buffalo Soldiers” originated, it was likely the name Native American warriors gave to the Black soldiers they fought or encountered in the West. Popular lore contends Native Americans called the soldiers “Buffalo Soldiers” either because their dark curly hair resembled a buffalo’s mane, or because the soldiers fought as fiercely as Great Plains buffalo.

During nearly 30 years of service on the American frontier, the Buffalo Soldiers participated in nearly 200 engagements, and 14 received the Medal of Honor. These regiments continued to distinguish themselves in battle during the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippine-American War (1899-1902), participating alongside Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders in the famed Battle of San Juan Hill.

Although none of the original Buffalo Soldier regiments served in combat during World War I, Black soldiers in other units did. The 92nd Infantry Division, a racially segregated division that served in Europe during both world wars, adopted the buffalo as its symbol and took on the nickname “Buffalo Soldiers.” During World War II, elements of the 92nd Division were among the handful of segreated units to serve in combat, specifically in the Italian Campaign of 1944-1945. 

In 1951, three years after desegregation of the armed forces, the Army disbanded the last of the original Buffalo Soldier regiments. Several of these service members are buried at Arlington, including Cpl. Isaiah Mays (Section 1, Grave 630-B), Master Sgt. George H. Wanton (Section 4, Grave 2749) and Col. Charles Young (Section 3, Grave 1730-B). A memorial plaque in Section 35, a few feet away from the Rough Riders Monument, honors the service of all Buffalo Soldiers. 


Explore our Education Program materials to learn more about the Buffalo Soldiers.