1075 - Buffalo Soldiers Monument

The 9-foot, pound bronze Buffalo Soldier statue before you is titled, “Answering the Call” and pays tribute to the African American frontier army troops who played a key role in westward exploration in the late 1800’s. The Buffalo Soldiers were the first to serve in peacetime after the Civil War, and were mostly made up of former slaves, freemen, and black Civil War soldiers.

Buffalo Soldiers served across the southwestern United States and in the Great Plains, in the 9th and 10th Cavalries and 24th and 25th Infantries. These were all black regiments, led primarily by white officers, with the exception of three black officers: West Point graduates Henry O. Flipper, John Hanks Alexander, and Charles Young.

Buffalo Soldiers of the 10th Cavalry Regiment, under the command of Col. Benjamin Grierson, built the Fort Sill Army post. Officially founded on January 8, 1869, Fort Sill is situated just south of Medicine Creek. Fort Sill is now home to the Field Artillery School and is a vital part of the Lawton community.

The nickname “Buffalo Soldier” was originated by Native Americans. It is thought that either the black curly hair of the young troopers, when covered in dust, resembled the hair of the buffalo, or the soldiers fought with the fierceness of the Great Plains Buffalo. Either way, the black soldiers accepted the name with pride. They were committed to service, despite facing prejudice and racism. Their days were made up of building roads and forts. They participated in major military actions such as the Spanish-American War, the Red River War, and more.

Through military service, Buffalo Soldiers worked to obtain equal rights as citizens. Their efforts are immortalized in pop culture movies, and songs, such as Bob Marley’s “Buffalo Soldier”.

Retired General and former Secretary of State Colin Powell noted the extreme courage and patriotism of the African American population saying, “Since 1641, there has never been a time in this country when blacks were unwilling to serve and sacrifice for America.”

Their commitment to service is truly heroic, and will never be forgotten.