24th U.S. Infantry

Aaron R. Fisher was born in 1892 in Lyles, Indiana. He enlisted in the Army in 1911. He served with the Buffalo Soldiers of the Twenty-Fourth Infantry during the Punitive Expedition into Mexico. He was an officer in the all-Black 366th Infantry in World War I. He received the Distinguished Service Cross and France’s Croix de Guerre for his actions in France. He was an ROTC instructor at Wilberforce University from 1936 to 1947. He died on November 22, 1985, in Xenia, Ohio.

Augustus Snoten served in the segregated military for nearly 30 years. His service took him from Puerto Rico to Alaska and many places in between.

Benjamin Brown was an early African American recipient of the Medal of Honor, and had a military career that took him throughout the United States and the world.

Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., was born in Washington, D.C. in 1912. He graduated from West Point in 1936. He was the fourth African American to graduate from West Point. During World War II, he led the renowned Tuskegee Airmen. He attained the rank of four-star general in 1998. He died in 2002 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

On July 12, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed into law the awarding of the U.S. Army Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor was awarded to those who distinguished themselves by their gallantry in action. As of June 2024, 95 African Americans have received the Medal of Honor.

Join a Park Ranger, Saturday, July 13, 2024, for a 45-minute talk on the "Buffalo Soldiers and the Medal of Honor."

During the almost 90 years that the Buffalo Soldiers served in segregated US Army units, 30 Buffalo Soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor. They received the medal for actions in the Plains Wars through the Korean War. Discover four of the men who were awarded the nation’s highest honor for bravery.

From 1899 to 1900, "Buffalo Soldiers" from Company B of the 24th U.S. Infantry Regiment were stationed at Vancouver Barracks. This marked the first time in the history of the post that a unit from one of the Army's four African American regiments comprised the post's regular garrison of troops.

Arriving in May of 1899, the men of Company L, 24th Infantry, United States Army served their country from northern Lynn Canal. These Buffalo Soldiers fought a war on two fronts: protecting the community of Skagway while facing discrimination from the same people they served.

Join a Park Ranger, Saturday, July 21, 2024, for a 45-minute talk about the different modes of transportation used by the Buffalo Soldiers and the opportunities they created. 

As new modes of transportation were developed; they were adapted for military use. These new modes of transportation created new opportunities for soldiers and officers to step into new roles of leadership and develop new regiments in the Army.

The Buffalo Soldiers also took advantage of these new opportunities. Learn how new modes of transportation created new opportunities for the African Americans to take positions of leadership in the Army.

Join a Park Ranger, Saturday, August 18, 2024, for a 45-minute talk about the different modes of transportation used by the Buffalo Soldiers and the opportunities they created. 

As new modes of transportation were developed; they were adapted for military use. These new modes of transportation created new opportunities for soldiers and officers to step into new roles of leadership and develop new regiments in the Army.

The Buffalo Soldiers also took advantage of these new opportunities. Learn how new modes of transportation created new opportunities for the African Americans to take positions of leadership in the Army.

On July 28, 1866, the United States Congress authorized six regular Army regiments of Black enlisted soldiers. The units were the 9th Cavalry, 10th Cavalry, 38th Infantry, 39th Infantry, 40th Infantry and 41st Infantry regiments. Three years later in 1869 the infantry regiments were consolidated and renamed the 24th Infantry and 25th Infantry. These men became known as Buffalo Soldiers. Buffalo Soldiers were all-Black soldiers that served in segregated units in the U.S. Army from 1866 through the Korean War.

Join us in celebration of the Buffalo Soldiers on July 27th and July 28th. We will have free family friendly programs and activities throughout the day.

Schedule of Event for July 27th, 2024:

Sculpt Like Edmonia Lewis Activity from 10 am to 3 pm
General Young once displayed sculptures by Edmonia Lewis in his home. Put your sculpting skills to the test and make something you'd be proud to display in your home.

Black Valor During the Splendid Little War (Ranger Talk) at 11 am.
Join a Park Ranger for a 30-minute presentation on Buffalo Soldiers in the Spanish-American War and the valor they contributed to free others. Take a deeper look of what happened during the war, rather than what was fabricated later.

Buffalo Solders; A Nickname (Ranger Talk) at 2pm
How did the Buffalo Soldiers get their nickname? Join a Park Ranger for a 25-minute PowerPoint presentation on the origins of the Buffalo Soldier nickname.

Schedule of Event for July 28th, 2024:

Insignia Button Activity from 10 am to 3 pm
Create your own military insignia button! While learning about the different Buffalo Soldier regiments and their insignias, create a button for you to wear! Bring your creativity and join in on the fun!

Buffalo Soldier Love Stories (Ranger Talk) at 11 am.
Join a Park Ranger for a 45-minute presentation and learn about the stories of African Americans who served in the military and how their commitments to their loved ones effected their actions on and off the battlefield.

Buffalo Solders in the National Parks (Ranger Talk) at 2pm
Join a Park Ranger for a 45-minute presentation and discover the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers in our National Parks and how their contribution across the American landscape continues to be captured and preserved for future generations to learn and explore.