The U.S. Army has made a groundbreaking decision to overturn the convictions of 110 Black soldiers, 19 of whom were executed, for their involvement in a mutiny at a Houston military camp a century ago. This effort by the Army is aimed at acknowledging and rectifying the harsh punishments that were imposed on these soldiers due to Jim Crow-era racism. The announcement was made during a ceremony held to honor the regiment known as the Buffalo Soldiers, who were deployed to Houston in 1917 during World War I to guard a military training facility.
Clashes erupted between the Buffalo Soldiers and white police officers and civilians, resulting in the deaths of 19 people. The Army’s decision to overturn the convictions serves as an opportunity for the Army and the American people to learn from this dark moment in history. Under Secretary of the Army Gabe Camarillo stated, “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 initiative to review the cases of these soldiers was first brought forward by the South Texas College of Law in October 2020 and again in December 2021. Retired general officers subsequently submitted clemency petitions on behalf of the soldiers. The Army Board for Correction of Military Records thoroughly examined the cases and identified significant deficiencies, deeming the proceedings to be “fundamentally unfair.” As a result, all convictions were recommended to be set aside, and the military service of the soldiers will be characterized as “honorable.”
Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth acknowledged the Army’s past mistakes and emphasized the importance of setting the record straight. In a statement, Wormuth said, “After a thorough review, the Board has found that these Soldiers were wrongly treated because of their race and were not given fair trials.” The Army will correct military records to recognize the soldiers’ honorable service, and their families may be eligible for compensation.
The events leading to the mutiny took place in August 1917, when the all-Black Third Battalion of the U.S. Army’s 24th Infantry Regiment, also known as the Buffalo Soldiers, arrived in Houston to guard Camp Logan. Racial tensions escalated due to the city’s Jim Crow laws, resulting in clashes between the soldiers and a white population. Law enforcement at the time portrayed the soldiers’ actions as a premeditated assault on the white population, while historians and advocates argue that the soldiers were responding to a perceived threat from a white mob.
Out of the 118 soldiers involved, 110 were found guilty in what became the largest murder trial in U.S. history. Nineteen of them were hanged. The Army’s statement reveals that the first executions occurred secretly, prompting regulatory changes to prevent future executions without review by the War Department and the president.
Descendants of the soldiers expressed their relief and belief that this day would eventually come. Jason Holt, a descendant in attendance at the ceremony, said, “Today is a day I believed would happen. I always did.”
The Army’s decision to overturn these convictions is a significant step towards acknowledging past injustices and providing some form of justice to the soldiers and their families. It serves as a reminder of the long-lasting impact of racial discrimination and the importance of rectifying historical wrongs.
