The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is righting the wrongs of the past by restoring honors to the 110 Black soldiers who were convicted in the Houston riots of 1917.

What You Need To Know

  • The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is righting the wrongs of the past by restoring honors to the 110 Black soldiers who were convicted in the Houston riots of 1917

  • This military salute comes more than a century after the race riots for members of the all-Black 24th Infantry, one regiment that was part of the Buffalo Soldiers

  • At Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, 19 men were hanged for their role in the riots. Those soldiers were tried for mutiny in the largest murder trial in American history

  • Two years ago, those servicemen were acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs with an educational marker at the cemetery. And in 2023, the Army overturned the convictions of the 110 Buffalo Soldiers, stating they “were wrongly treated because of their race and were not given fair trials"

“Equal justice belongs to all soldiers,” said VA Deputy Secretary Tanya Bradsher.

This military salute comes more than a century after the race riots for members of the all-Black 24th Infantry, one regiment that was part of the Buffalo Soldiers. 

“Known as Buffalo Soldiers, served our nation at a time when, due to racial prejudices, was neither appreciated nor respected,” said Matthew Quinn, VA undersecretary for memorial affairs. 

At Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, 19 men were hanged for their role in the riots. Those soldiers were tried for mutiny in the largest murder trial in American history. 

“Can you balance the scales by what we’re doing?” Questioned Jason Holt, the nephew of the slain T.C. Hawkins. “I don’t know, but it’s an attempt. It’s an attempt to make things right.”

Two years ago, those servicemen were acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs with an educational marker at the cemetery. And in 2023, the Army overturned the convictions of the 110 Buffalo Soldiers, stating they “were wrongly treated because of their race and were not given fair trials.”

“It took us awhile to get here,” said Yvette Bourcicot, the U.S. Army’s principal deputy assistant secretary. “We do ask for forgiveness for the injustice that was perpetrated on these soldiers. And we’re doing everything that we can to make this right.”

For decades, their headstones only showed an execution date. Now the VA has installed new headstones for the men of the 24th Infantry, displaying their rank, unit and home state.

“This day in some small way reflects the progress we have made as a nation, since these men were first interred here over a century ago,” said Bradsher.  

Bradsher says correcting these headstones is the last step in giving these soldiers the recognition they deserve. 

Burial flags and certificates of honorable discharge were given to the descendants of the World War I veterans, making amends and honoring their service. 

“The focus is on restoring dignity, honor and respect,” said Bradsher.