African American Soldiers and Sailors

At the time of the creation of the memorial, African Americans had fought in each war the United States of America had been involved in. During the Revolutionary War, African Americans made up up to 15% of the Continental Army. They also fought in the War of 1812, the Civil War (including the popular Buffalo Soldiers), and were revered by the French for their bravery in the First World War.

Source:Buckley, Gail. American Patriots: The Story of Blacks in the Military from the Revolution to Desert Storm. New York: Random House, 2001.

Buffalo Soldiers of the 25th Infantry Regiment, 1890

African American Soldiers During World War I

Decorated members of the 369th Regiment.

Officers of the 366th Infantry Regiment returning home from World War I.

USS Galena's Black Sailors in the Civil War.