The U.S. Army has made a historic decision to overturn the convictions of 110 Black soldiers, including 19 who were executed, for a mutiny in a Houston military camp a century ago. Here’s the full story.
Convictions Overturned
In a significant move, the U.S. Army has decided to overturn the convictions of 110 Black soldiers, including 19 who were executed, for their involvement in a mutiny at a Houston military camp a century ago.
Jim Crow
This action is part of an effort to rectify the harsh punishments imposed during the Jim Crow era, which were fueled by racial discrimination.
Racist Violence
The soldiers in question were members of the Buffalo Soldiers, a regiment sent to Houston in 1917 during World War I to guard a military training facility. Tensions flared between the regiment, made up of Black soldiers, and white police officers and civilians, resulting in the tragic death of 19 individuals.
“Fundamentally Unfair”
The Army Board for Correction of Military Records, at the secretary of the Army’s request, undertook a thorough review of the cases. The board discovered “significant deficiencies” and deemed the proceedings “fundamentally unfair.”
Honorable Discharges
Consequently, all convictions were unanimously recommended to be set aside, and the soldiers’ military service is now characterized as “honorable.”
“Wrongly Treated”
Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth emphasized that this action acknowledges past mistakes and aims to correct historical inaccuracies. Wormuth stated, “After a thorough review, the Board has found that these Soldiers were wrongly treated because of their race and were not given fair trials.”
Eligible for Compensation
The correction of military records will extend to recognizing the soldiers’ service as honorable. Additionally, families of the soldiers may be eligible for compensation.
March Into Huston
The roots of this historic decision can be traced back to August 1917, when the Buffalo Soldiers, part of the all-Black Third Battalion of the U.S. Army’s 24th Infantry Regiment, marched into Houston amid racial provocations.
Camp Logan
Their mission was to guard Camp Logan, a military training facility under construction for white soldiers destined for service in France during World War I. The prevailing Jim Crow laws in the city heightened tensions.
Varying Accounts
Historical accounts vary, with law enforcement characterizing the events as a deadly and premeditated assault by the soldiers on the white population.
White Mob
However, historians and advocates argue that the soldiers were responding to what they perceived as a white mob approaching them. In the aftermath, 110 out of 118 soldiers were found guilty in what became the largest murder trial in U.S. history.
Secret Executions
Tragically, 19 soldiers were executed, with the first executions occurring secretly a day after sentencing. These events prompted immediate regulatory changes, preventing future executions without review by the War Department and the president.
Benefits Available
The families of the soldiers now have the opportunity to seek benefits through the U.S. Army Board for Correction of Military Records.
Historical Injustice
The decision by the U.S. Army to overturn these century-old convictions is a long-awaited acknowledgment of historical injustices.
Racial Discrimination
As the records are corrected and the soldiers’ service is recognized as honorable, this move marks a step towards rectifying the impact of past racial discrimination within the military justice system.
Can’t Fix Past Wrongs
The news led to a lot of controversy online, with many speaking out in favor of the soldiers. One posted, “No matter what the army does now they can never change the past wrongs.”
The post ‘They Can Never Change the Past Wrongs’ – Convictions of 110 Black Soldiers Reversed by U.S. Army first appeared on Pulse of Pride.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / VAKS-Stock Agency. The people shown in the images are for illustrative purposes only, not the actual people featured in the story.
