

# US Army Overturns Convictions of 110 Black Soldiers from World War I Era

In a landmark decision, the **US Army** has overturned the convictions of 110 Black soldiers who were charged following the **Houston riots** during the **World War I era**. The Army Board for Correction of Military Records found that these soldiers were treated unfairly due to their race and were not given fair trials (1,2,3,4,5,6).

## The Houston Riots

The soldiers, known as the **Buffalo Soldiers**, arrived in Houston in 1917 to serve at an Army construction site. They faced racist provocations and physical violence, leading to clashes and the Houston riots on August 23, 1917, which resulted in 19 deaths (1,3). 

> "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," said Gabe Camarillo, the under secretary of the army (5).

## The Trials and Convictions

The Army convicted 110 soldiers in a flawed process characterized by irregularities, including inadequate defense representation, coerced witnesses, and imbalanced prosecution and defense witnesses. Nineteen of them were executed, marking the largest mass execution of American soldiers by the Army (2,3,4,6).

> "After a thorough review, the board has found that these soldiers were wrongly treated because of their race and were not given fair trials," said Christine Wormuth, the secretary of the army (5).

## Overturning the Convictions

The Army Board for Correction of Military Records reviewed the cases and found deficiencies, concluding that the proceedings were unfair due to the soldiers' race. The board recommended setting aside the convictions and updating military records to reflect honorable conduct (1,2,3,4,5,6).

Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth approved the recommendation to set aside the convictions and grant honorable discharges. The Army is acknowledging past mistakes by setting aside their convictions and granting honorable discharges (1,3).

> "Today is a day I believed would happen. I always did," said Jason Holt, a descendant of one of the executed men (5).

## The Aftermath

The Army's exoneration clears the soldiers' records, grants them honorable discharges, and makes their descendants eligible for military benefits. The soldiers will also be given proper gravestones (4,6).

The decision to overturn the convictions is seen as justice finally achieved, according to historian John Haymond (6).

> "The Army is acknowledging past mistakes and setting the record straight," said Army Secretary Christine Wormuth (2).

This decision by the US Army not only corrects a historical injustice but also serves as a reminder of the systemic racial discrimination that existed in the past. It is a step towards acknowledging and rectifying past mistakes, and it highlights the importance of fair and unbiased trials in the military justice system.

<h1>US Army Overturns Convictions of 110 Black Soldiers from World War I Era</h1>
<p>In a landmark decision, the <strong>US Army</strong> has overturned the convictions of 110 Black soldiers who were charged following the <strong>Houston riots</strong> during the <strong>World War I era</strong>. The Army Board for Correction of Military Records found that these soldiers were treated unfairly due to their race and were not given fair trials (1,2,3,4,5,6).</p>
<h2>The Houston Riots</h2>
<p>The soldiers, known as the <strong>Buffalo Soldiers</strong>, arrived in Houston in 1917 to serve at an Army construction site. They faced racist provocations and physical violence, leading to clashes and the Houston riots on August 23, 1917, which resulted in 19 deaths (1,3).</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"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," said Gabe Camarillo, the under secretary of the army (5).</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>The Trials and Convictions</h2>
<p>The Army convicted 110 soldiers in a flawed process characterized by irregularities, including inadequate defense representation, coerced witnesses, and imbalanced prosecution and defense witnesses. Nineteen of them were executed, marking the largest mass execution of American soldiers by the Army (2,3,4,6).</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"After a thorough review, the board has found that these soldiers were wrongly treated because of their race and were not given fair trials," said Christine Wormuth, the secretary of the army (5).</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Overturning the Convictions</h2>
<p>The Army Board for Correction of Military Records reviewed the cases and found deficiencies, concluding that the proceedings were unfair due to the soldiers' race. The board recommended setting aside the convictions and updating military records to reflect honorable conduct (1,2,3,4,5,6).</p>
<p>Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth approved the recommendation to set aside the convictions and grant honorable discharges. The Army is acknowledging past mistakes by setting aside their convictions and granting honorable discharges (1,3).</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"Today is a day I believed would happen. I always did," said Jason Holt, a descendant of one of the executed men (5).</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>The Aftermath</h2>
<p>The Army's exoneration clears the soldiers' records, grants them honorable discharges, and makes their descendants eligible for military benefits. The soldiers will also be given proper gravestones (4,6).</p>
<p>The decision to overturn the convictions is seen as justice finally achieved, according to historian John Haymond (6).</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"The Army is acknowledging past mistakes and setting the record straight," said Army Secretary Christine Wormuth (2).</p>
</blockquote>
<p>This decision by the US Army not only corrects a historical injustice but also serves as a reminder of the systemic racial discrimination that existed in the past. It is a step towards acknowledging and rectifying past mistakes, and it highlights the importance of fair and unbiased trials in the military justice system.</p>


The Guardian

US army overturns 1917 convictions of 110 Black soldiers charged with mutiny

US Army sets aside convictions of 110 Black soldiers over 1917 Houston riots

Reuters

A century later, US Army overturns convictions of 110 Black soldiers

News Nation

Army overturns convictions of Black soldiers in 1917 Houston riots

Fox News

US Army reverses convictions of 110 Black soldiers in acknowledgement of racial injustice

New York Post

Army clears Buffalo Soldiers executed after 1917 Houston riots, saying racism fouled troops’ trials

US Army

Houston Riots

World War I

Racial Discrimination

Military Justice

The US Army has overturned the convictions of 110 Black soldiers who were charged after the Houston riots during the World War I era. The Army Board for Correction of Military Records found that these soldiers were treated unfairly due to their race and were not given fair trials.

US Army Overturns Convictions of 110 Black Soldiers from World War I Era

Newsletter

Stay Connected