Written by Justun Dorsey, Education and Outreach Coordinator

Buffalo soldiers of the 25th Infantry at Fort Keogh, Montana, 1890.

John B. Williams during his service days.

Buffalo Soldiers Day is observed each year on July 28th. While Black people have served in the U.S. military since its inception in 1775, the Buffalo Soldiers represented the first Black regiments established under the Regular Army during peacetime. As we acknowledge their 160th anniversary this month, we also want to make special mention Columbus, Ohio native, John B. Williams, one of the last Buffalo Soldiers.

Officially constituted on July 28th, 1866, by an act of Congress called “An Act to Increase and Fix the Military Peace Establishment of the United States,” the Buffalo Soldiers were made up of six all-Black peacetime regiments. These included the 9th and 10th Cavalry and the 38th, 39th, 40th, and 41st Infantry. Later the infantries were consolidated to the 24th and 25th. They consisted of Black people that were formerly enslaved, freedmen, and Black veterans of the Civil War. It is said that they got their name from Indigineous Americans along the western plains due to both their fierce fighting style, leading to them being revered, as well as their hair resembling the curly texture of buffaloes.

Although they were an all-Black regiment, they were predominately under the leadership of white officers, many of whom refused to lead them, even when doing so could negatively impact their military careers. Sharing similar experiences with other Black soldiers throuhgout the United States’ military history, they often received lower pay, limited opportunties for advancement, social isolation, and overall prejudice while serving in the Army.

They were primarily assigned to infantry units in the states and territories along the western plains and the southwest. Their main tasks included protecting travel routes and settlers, policing illegal activity, controlling Indigeous populations, performing road and infrastructure construction, and participating in skirmishes and battles.

Before the National Park Service was established in 1916, the Buffalo Soldiers made lasting contributions to the National Park System as the U.S. Army was responsible for managing parks such as Yosemite, Sequoia, and Yellowstone. Approximately 500 Buffalo Soldiers served in these parks, where they protected wildlife from poachers, helped prevent and fight forest fires, maintained park infrastructure, and improved public access. Members of the 25th Infantry Regiment’s Bicycle Corps also carried out patrols around Yellowstone, demonstrating the Army’s innovative approach to protecting the public lands.

Soldiers from the 24th Infantry in Yosemite National Park, California, 1899.

Soldier of the 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps, Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument, 1896.

Over the course of their service, they participated in nearly 200 military engagements, earning a reputation for discipline as they recorded some of the lowest rates of desertion and court-martial in the Army. They served in nearly every major conflict after the Civil War through the Korean War. Their regiments were ultimately disbanded in 1951, several years after the U.S. military was officially desegregated.

In honor of Buffalo Soldiers Day, the National Veterans Memorial and Museum is proud to display a Community Exhibition on John B. Williams from July 1 – August 2, 2026. Memorabilia from his own personal collection are on display in the museum space that showecase the achievements he made throughout his life and the sacrifices made both during and after his military service.
John Bunyan Williams was born on February 2nd, 1923, in Columbus, Ohio, to Lee and Paralee (Goins) Williams. He attended Columbus Public Schools, including Mt. Vernon Avenue Elementary School, Champion Junior High School, and East High School. John was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II in March 1943 and was assigned to the newly formed 28th Cavalry Regiment at Camp Lockett, California. Alongside the historic 10th Cavalry Regiment, the 28th became part of the famed Buffalo Soldiers.

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor there were fears that the Japanese military might attempt to invade the western coast of the United States. The Buffalo Soldiers stationed in Southern California became part of America’s first line of defense while the nation mobilized for war. John recalled that although the invasion never came, the soldiers spent their time training, fighting forest fires, remaining constantly prepared, and enduring the racial prejudice that was common throughout the military and American society.

In 1944, the 28th Cavalry was sent overseas to North Africa, where it was deactivated and reorganized as the 1553rd Engineer Heavy Ponton Battalion. Their mission was to build temporary floating bridges over rivers destroyed by retreating German forces. Assigned to the Seventh Army, the battalion participated in the invasion of Southern France, often called “D-Day 2,” and advanced across Europe. John was personally involved in constructing the pontoon bridge over the Rhine River, a critical crossing that allowed Allied tanks and heavy equipment to continue their advance into Germany. During that operation, his legs became entangled in an anchor rope, and he narrowly escaped drowning thanks to the quick actions of his fellow soldiers. He also survived truck accidents and enemy strafing attacks on military convoys. With the surrender of Japan, John’s military service came to an end. He was honorably discharged in December 1945 and returned home to Columbus.

After he was honorably dischared in December 1945, he returned to Columbus, Ohio, where he graduated from the Ohio State University with a degree in Commercial Art and Advertising and married his wife, Geraldine Poindexter Williams with whome he raised five children together. After struggling to find a job in his degree field, he took up work as a clerk with the United States Postal Service, a position he held for nearly 40 years. During his career, he filed and won a discrimination lawsuit against the Columbus Post Office, helping to establish affirmative action and equal employment opportunities for employees.

After his retirement from the Postal Service, his love for journalism grew and he began writing for The Columbus Post where he wrote pieces that focused on the injustices he saw in his community, calling out anyone with what he called a “special agenda,” proving, in his words, that “the pen can be mightier than the sword.”

He continued to be recognized throughout his life for his achievements both in and out of the military, gaining awards including a diploma and medal from France for helping to liberate the country during World War II and his induction into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame. He passed away on February 28th, 2021, at the age of 98.

Back in April, I sat down with Carolyn, the daughter of John, and Jonathon Bailey, his son-in-law, to record a conversation discussing his service. Jonathon had the pleasure of traveling with him for many of his later-in-life endeavours, hearing about all the stories he had to share. Check out the NVMM Story Collection at the following link to hear more about his story: Conversation With Family of U.S. Army Veteran and Buffalo Soldier, John B. Williams.

Carolyn showing her father’s (John) custom made bomber jacket.

Members from John’s family standing in front of the exhibition. From left to right: Carolyn, Jonathon, and Cheryl (John’s child).