Posted on 02/25/2010 6:24:03 PM PST by SandRat
2/25/2010 - SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- The members of Sheppard Air Force base learned about the legacy of Buffalo Soldiers during a banquet Feb. 19 here.
Buffalo Soldiers were the first African Americans to serve in the "regular" U.S. Army immediately after the Civil War.
"The Buffalo soldiers were mostly former slaves from all over the nation, but a lot of them were from the South," said Trooper Fred Gray, the former president of the Lawton-Fort Sill, Okla. Chapter of the 9th and 10th Horse Cavalry Association of the Buffalo Soldiers. "They made up about 20 percent of the servicemen at that time. They worked hard and did a lot for the country, especially our region."
Buffalos Soldiers contributed to the creation of Fort Sill by building more than 28 of the installation's buildings. Trooper Gray said they also helped make rail transportation to Oklahoma possible.
"Without them, you would not be able to get to Oklahoma," he said. "They were the ones that basically built the railroads to get to and from there."
Trooper Gray shared the interesting story of one special Buffalo Soldier in particular.
"Cathy Williams was the only female Buffalo Soldier known to serve," he said. "Because women weren't allowed to serve back then, Cathy became a part of the 41st Infantry by masquerading herself as a man.
"She changed her name to William Cathy and served for two years undetected," he said.
The Buffalo Soldiers were in 1866 and the original cavalries were deactivated in 1944. However, the current 10th Cavalry was reactivated in 1958.
Airmen wearing the uniforms of Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War, through the Vietnam War
time frame serve as live models at the Living Legends Banquet Museum Feb. 19, 2010, at the Sheppard Air Force Base community center.
(U.S. Air Force photo/Mike Litteken)
BTTT
That’s too cool!
What a great picture, love the cocked hats.
And I was stationed @ Sheppard!
‘On Oct. 18, 1969, just six weeks after Col. Muammar Gaddafi of the Libyan Army had led a coup deposing Libyas King Idris, he stood at the gates of Wheelus Air Force Base. Facing him was an American officer, also a colonel, named Daniel Chappie James Jr. However, any similarity between the two men ended with their military rank. Before the coup, 27-year old Gadhafi had been a mere lieutenant in the Libyan Army. As leader and chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council, Gadhafi was catapulted to Colonel overnight. In contrast, James, an African American officer, earned his rank the hard way by overcoming racial prejudices and enduring air battles in Korea and Vietnam.
Few Americans recall the day that James faced down Gadhafi. The confrontation occurred when Gadhafi ordered a column of Libyan half-tracks onto Wheelus. The half-tracks blew past the gate guards and through the housing area at top speed.
When James was notified of the intrusion, he came immediately to the front gate and lowered the barrier to prevent more vehicles from entering. Standing a few yards beyond the barrier was Gadhafi with his hand resting on the butt of his pistol. James glared at him, his own .45 ready at his side.
Move your hand away from that gun, James ordered. Much to everyone’s surprise, Gadhafi complied and probably prevented an early end to his dictatorship. As James later recalled, If he had pulled that gun, it never would have cleared his holster. As if to punctuate the impression James had made, the Libyan Army didn’t send any more half-tracks after that incident.
Previously in July 1969, while James was at Wheelus AFB, he displayed an example of his diplomatic talents. Americas relations with Libya had continued to slide downhill as Gadhafi pressured the U. S. Government to withdraw its military presence. But the Libyans wanted the Americans to leave behind expensive technical equipment to keep the base running. The Americans resisted and planned to remove the material from the base. A serious confrontation almost took place when several Libyan colonels demanded an audience with James.
James invited the officers to his home to discuss the issue of the base equipment. Tensions were already high as the Libyans entered James living room. As the Libyan officers sat down, their driver entered the room carrying a submachine gun. James immediately glowered at the Libyan officers. I’m going to count to three, he said, and if that man is not out of my living room by that time, I will physically throw him out. The driver made a hasty retreat.
General James thank you for your service!”
Sierra Vista, AZ is a good place to visit. The Ft. Huachuca Museum has a section dedicated to Buffalo soldiers.
That is an impressive looking group, every one of those faces looks to have an interesting life behind it.
Thanks for this article. We have a Buffalo Soldier club at Camp Mabry in Austin.
Cool story
Awesome part of a little-known history. It’s the small encounters that really make history.
Thank God we had real men in our military. I pray every day that we see their like return to command. Our current crop of “leaders” is as far as possible from these men of character.
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