BY WALTER OPINDE

In 1903, when President Teddy Roosevelt came to San Francisco, he personally asked the now-legendary Buffalo Soldiers to serve as his security detail around the city. Some historians speculate that he did so in order to honor these African-American soldiers, whose military prowess enabled his Rough Riders to make their heroic charge up San Juan Hill in the Spanish-American War. But, regardless of the motive, this marked the first time a President had asked an African-American unit to serve as his Escort of Honor. In 2016, in celebration of the 150^th anniversary of the formation of the Buffalo Soldiers, as well as the Centennial of the National Park Service, it’s a good time to look back on how their history intersects with the story of our national parks, including the Presidio.

Originally formed in 1866, the “Buffalo Soldiers” moniker came to refer to the soldiers in four all-black U.S. Army units: the 9^th Cavalry Regiment, the 10^th Cavalry Regiment, the 24^th Infantry Regiment, and the 25^th Infantry Regiment. They were given the name by Native Americans against whom the black soldiers fought during the so-called Indian Wars. It was also said that their curly black hair was reminiscent of a buffalo’s coat, and since bison are revered in Native American cultures, this was considered a term of respect).

In subsequent years, these fierce Buffalo Soldiers were deployed to Cuba during the Spanish-American War, to the Pacific in the Philippine-American War, and to the Mexican front during the Pancho Villa Expedition. At various times, all four units came through the Army’s Presidio of San Francisco – but only soldiers of the 9^th Cavalry and 24^th Infantry were actually garrisoned at the Presidio. In fact, the men of the 9^th lived in the barracks on the Main Post (the red-brick buildings that still stand today, along Montgomery Street). During their time in San Francisco, troops of the 9th and 24^th played a seminal role in the history of our parklands. Beginning in 1899, and again between 1903 and 1904, black soldiers patrolled Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park, and General Grant (Kings Canyon) National Park. Because the National Park Service was not established until 1916, it might be said that the Buffalo Soldiers were some of the very first park rangers (even the iconic “Smokey Bear” hat is modeled on the headwear of troops at the time).

The contributions and valor of the African American units were recognized by many military men; General John J. Pershing, who lived on the Presidio with his family, held the Buffalo Soldiers in such high regard he was given the nickname “Black Jack.” Nevertheless, the black soldiers faced rampant racism and discrimination in turn of the century American society. Brawls between the black and white soldiers in the saloons and streetcars of San Francisco were not uncommon. In the face of such racial prejudice, it’s even more remarkable that the Buffalo Soldiers served their country so bravely and selflessly. They were always stuck between the proverbial rock and a hard place because they were asked to be good soldiers and to help the U.S. spread democracy, liberty, and equality to people in the Philippines and Puerto Rico. They did this regardless of the fact and the knowledge that their parents were not afforded the full-class citizenship that they deserved. As well, there was, in many cases, very little democracy or liberty or equality for African-Americans in their own country. So, doing the job that they did, while always facing this moral dilemma, was a testament to their integrity and sense of self.

Today, everyone can pay respect to these remarkable men right in the Presidio. More than 400 Buffalo Soldiers are buried at San Francisco National Cemetery.

Read more of the story via:

https://www.thesca.org/connect/blog/buffalo-soldiers-original-park-rangers

http://wilderness.org/blog/13-parks-and-monuments-black-history-month

http://parksconservancy.org/about/newsletters/park-e-ventures/2016/02-buffalo-soldiers