Thirteen African American soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 24th Infantry, were executed by hanging on December 11, 1917. They faced charges of mutiny following their involvement in a riot protesting racial discrimination.
The demise of these soldiers marked the most extensive mass execution ever carried out by the Army, with subsequent acknowledgment from officials that the action had been driven by racial motives.
Nineteen individuals faced execution, and 110 were convicted in connection to the riot. In a historic move to rectify its racist history, the US Army recently declared the complete overturning of all these convictions.
According to the account, the soldiers were deployed to oversee a construction site near Houston. However, upon arrival, they faced hostility and brutality from the local white population. Two black soldiers were subjected to physical assault and arrest, fueling rumors of potential further attacks.
On August 23, a mob assembled and descended upon the city, leading to a climax of conflicts. Four soldiers lost their lives in the altercations, along with 15 white residents, among whom were police officers and soldiers.
Officials now acknowledge that the 110 individuals who endured military persecution in relation to that crucial event were unfairly tried. It has been conceded that their convictions were influenced by racial biases. In a press release on November 13, the Army declared that the Army Board for Correction of Military Records is voiding their courts-martial convictions and adjusting the soldiers’ records to portray their service as honorable.
The Department of Veterans Affairs in the United States is aiding eligible family members in accessing potential benefits. Those who meet the criteria can complete a DD Form 149, known as the Application for Correction of Military Record, and submit it to the Army Review Boards Agency. Alternatively, they can utilize the online submission form provided by the Army.
Individuals applying need to demonstrate their connection to one of the 110 soldiers wrongly convicted. For further details, family members can send an email to the Army Review Board Agency at army.arbainquiry@army.mil.
