University of South Carolina Scholar Commons Faculty Publications Anthropology, Department of 2-2001 The African American Soldier At Fort Huachuca, Arizona, 1892-1946 Steven D. Smith University of South Carolina - Columbia, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/anth_facpub Part of the Anthropology Commons Publication Info Published in 2001. © 2001, University of South Carolina--South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology This Book is brought to you by the Anthropology, Department of at Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Faculty Publications by an authorized administrator of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE AFRICAN AMERICAN SOLDIER AT FORT HUACHUCA, ARIZONA, 1892-1946 The U.S Army Fort Huachuca, Arizona, And the Center of Expertise for Preservation of Structures and Buildings U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District Seattle, Washington THE AFRICAN AMERICAN SOLDIER AT FORT HUACHUCA, ARIZONA, 1892-1946 By Steven D. Smith South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology University of South Carolina Prepared For: U.S. Army Fort Huachuca, Arizona And the The Center of Expertise for Preservation of Historic Structures & Buildings, U.S. Army Corps of Engineer, Seattle District Under Contract No. DACW67-00-P-4028 February 2001 ABSTRACT This study examines the history of African American soldiers at Fort Huachuca, Arizona from 1892 until 1946. It was during this period that U.S. Army policy required that African Americans serve in separate military units from white soldiers. All four of the United States Congressionally mandated all-black units were stationed at Fort Huachuca during this period, beginning with the 24th Infantry and following in chronological order; the 9th Cavalry, the 10th Cavalry, and the 25th Infantry. During World War II, both all-black Army Divisions, the 93rd and 92nd trained at this Arizona fort. This study clearly demonstrates that Fort Huachuca is the home of the African American soldier. i TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Figures ............................................................................................ iv Acknowledgments ............................................................................................. v Preface ............................................................................................ vi Chapter I: The 24th Infantry At Fort Huachuca, 1892-1896............................................. 1 Introduction ............................................................................................. 1 The 24th Infantry, 1869-1892..................................................................... 4 Fort Huachuca, 1877-1892.......................................................................... 7 The 24th At Fort Huachuca............................................... 10 Moving On ........................................................................................... 17 Interlude: Fort Huachuca, 1898 To 1912 .................................................. 18 Chapter II: The 10th Cavalry and 25th Infantry At Fort Huachuca, 1913-1939 .............. 22 Introduction ........................................................................................... 22 The 10th Cavalry....................................................................................... 22 Fort Huachuca, 1913-1918........................................................................ 25 Enforcing Neutrality.......................................................... 25 Naco .................................................................................. 29 Aqua Prieta........................................................................ 31 Punitive Expedition................................................................................... 33 Carrizal.............................................................................. 41 World War I ........................................................................................... 45 Ambos Nogales ................................................................. 48 Racial Incident at Bisbee................................................... 51 Fort Huachuca, 1918-1939........................................................................ 53 The 25th Infantry............................................................... 55 Training ............................................................................. 56 Recreation.......................................................................... 61 Summary ........................................................................................... 65 ii Chapter III: Fort Huachuca and the Buffalo Soldiers During World War II.................... 66 Introduction ........................................................................................... 66 Establishing an African American Utilization Policy ............................... 69 Fort Huachuca and Mobilization of the Army Ground Forces.................. 78 The 93rd Infantry Division........................................................................ 85 The 92nd Infantry Division ....................................................................... 89 Training of the 93nd and 92rd at Fort Huachuca ...................................... 95 Recreation Facilities For African American Troops ............................... 100 Off-Post Recreation......................................................... 103 African American Service Women at Fort Huachuca............................. 108 Summary ......................................................................................... 111 Chapter IV: Fort Huachuca and the Challenge of Training African American Troops, 1940-1945 ......................................................................................... 112 Introduction ......................................................................................... 112 Problems in the Preparation of African American Troops...................... 112 Race Relations at Fort Huachuca During WWII..................................... 119 The Black Officer Dilemma.................................................................... 125 Summary ......................................................................................... 135 Chapter V: Fort Huachuca and the End of the Segregated Army................................... 137 Introduction ......................................................................................... 137 Integration ......................................................................................... 137 Fort Huachuca and the Black Soldier...................................................... 139 Selected Bibliography ......................................................................................... 142 iii LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1.1 General Location of Fort Huachuca.................................................................. 2 Figure 1.2 Forts and Towns Along the Border................................................................... 5 Figure 1.3 Fort Huachuca Sewage System, 1887............................................................... 9 Figure 2.1 Sergeant Vance Marchbanks........................................................................... 23 Figure 2.2 10th Cavalry on Parade at Fort Huachuca, circa 1920.................................... 24 Figure 2.3 Mexican Sharpshooters Near Naco................................................................. 30 Figure 2.4 Captured Villistas at Columbus ...................................................................... 34 Figure 2.5 Sketch Map of Punitive Expedition................................................................ 36 Figure 2.6 10th Cavalry Machine Gun Troop Charge...................................................... 39 Figure 2.7 Major Charles Young...................................................................................... 40 Figure 2.8 10th Cavalry Prisoners Return ....................................................................... 45 Figure 2.9 Nogales, Circa 1918-1920 .............................................................................. 49 Figure 2.10 25th Infantry at Bayonet Practice, 1928 ........................................................ 59 Figure 2.11 10th Cavalry Regimental Champions, 1921 ................................................. 62 Figure 3.1 Fort Huachuca, Circa 1929 ............................................................................. 67 Figure 3.2 10th Cavalry, Circa 1931 ................................................................................ 75 Figure 3.3 Segregated New Cantonment at Fort Huachuca ............................................. 81 Figure 3.4 Map of Old Post With WWII Additions......................................................... 82 Figure 3.5 Colonel Hardy With Musical Director, Captain Joseph Jordan...................... 85 Figure 3.6 Probable Staged Photograph of Two 93rd Troopers Getting Acquainted With the Desert ........................................................................................... 87 Figure 3.7 Black Soldiers Prepare for March.................................................................. 92 Figure 3.8 Barracks Inspection at Fort Huachuca ............................................................ 96 Figure 3.9 Enlisted Men’s Recreation Hall.................................................................... 101 Figure 3.10 WAAC’s Arrive