In a landmark decision, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth has granted approval to reverse the court-martial convictions of 110 Black soldiers from the renowned 3rd Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, famously known as the Buffalo Soldiers. The Army’s move announced through a press release, follows a recommendation from the Board for Correction of Military Records and aims to rectify the unjust treatment these soldiers faced after the 1917 Houston Riots.
Secretary Wormuth emphasized the thorough review conducted by the Board, revealing that the soldiers were unfairly treated based on their race and were denied fair trials. “By setting aside their convictions and granting honorable discharges, the Army is acknowledging past mistakes and setting the record straight,” stated Secretary Wormuth.
The Houston Riots, triggered by racial tensions and mistreatment of the 24th Infantry Regiment’s members on August 23, 1917, led to the court-martial of 110 soldiers. The subsequent trials were plagued by irregularities, resulting in the largest mass execution of American soldiers by the U.S. Army. Following these events, the Army enacted regulatory changes to prevent future executions without proper review.
The Army’s decision to review the court-martial cases came after petitions from the South Texas College of Law in 2020 and 2021, as well as requests for clemency from retired general officers. Under Secretary of the Army, Gabe Camarillo, highlighted the significance of learning from this dark moment in history, stating, “We cannot change the past; however, this decision provides the Army and the American people an opportunity to learn from this difficult moment in our history.”
The Army Board for Correction of Military Records meticulously examined the records related to the court-martial cases, identifying significant deficiencies that rendered the proceedings fundamentally unfair. The unanimous decision recommended setting aside all convictions and characterizing the soldiers’ military service as “honorable,” a decision Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Review Boards Michael Mahoney fully supported.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is actively supporting family members affected by the correction of records, offering assistance upon receipt of amended documents. Historian John Haymond, who played a key role in petitioning for clemency, hailed the decision as long overdue justice. “This isn’t a political action. This is the Army internally fixing a problem that was the Army’s problem 106 years ago,” Haymond asserted.
Family members of the 110 soldiers may now be entitled to benefits, and the Army has provided guidelines for applying to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records. Online applications can be submitted, and interested parties can request a copy of the corrected records from the National Archives and Records Administration. This significant development marks a step towards acknowledging historical injustices and providing closure for the families affected by the events of the Houston Riots.
