"Faced with a shortage of infantry replacements during the enemy's counteroffensive General Eisenhower offered Negro soldiers in service units an opportunity to volunteer for duty with the infantry. More than 4,500 responded, many taking reductions in grade in order to meet specified requirements. The 6th Army Group formed these men into provisional companies, while the 12th Army Group employed them as an additional platoon in existing rifle companies. The excellent record established by these volunteers, particularly those serving as platoons, presaged major postwar changes in the traditional approach to employing Negro troops."

Korean War and Integration

The 24th Infantry Regiment saw combat during the Korean War and was the last segregated regiment to engage in combat. The 24th was deactivated in 1951 and its soldiers were integrated into other units in Korea. On December 12, 1951 the last Buffalo soldier units, the 27th Cavalry and the 28th (Horse) Cavalry were disbanded (although, the 28th Cavalry was inactivated at Assi-Okba, Algeria in April of 1944 in North Africa and marked the end of the regiment).

There are two monuments to the Buffalo soldiers in the state of Kansas at Fort Leavenworth and Junction City. Then-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell was guest speaker for the unveiling of the Fort Leavenworth monument in July 1992.

Female Buffalo Soldiers

Cathay Williams is the only known female Buffalo Soldier.  Williams was born into slavery in 1842 and she worked as a house slave in Jefferson City, Missouri until her master died.  About the same time, the Civil War broke out and she was placed into service for the Union soldiers.  While serving the soldiers, she experienced military life first hand.  After the war, Williams wanted to be financially independent so she joined the army.  In November of 1866, she enlisted in the Thirty-Eighth United States Infantry, Company A as William Cathay.  She was able to do so because a medical examination was not required.  Only her cousin and a friend were aware of her real identity.  Company A arrived at Fort Cummings in New Mexico on October 1, 1867.  While at the fort, Williams and her company protected miners and traveling immigrants from Apache attack.  In 1868, Williams grew tired of military life so she feigned illness and the post surgeon discovered that she was a woman.  She was discharged October 14, 1868.

        ^{Blacks who participated in the Spanish-American War}

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