| Submit your comments on this article |
| Home Front: Politix |
| Oldest known Buffalo Soldier dies |
| 2005-09-18 |
| The oldest known Buffalo Soldier, Mark Mathews, has died at the age of 111. Mathews joined the legendary black cavalry unit in 1910 when he was 16. He served under Gen. John Joseph "Black Jack" Pershing in the pursuit of Pancho Villa. He also had a long career as a security guard at the National Institutes of Health. The name Buffalo Soldiers was given to troops of the all-black 9th and 10th cavalry by their enemies in the Indian wars of the late 1800's. The name may have come from a couple things. Either Indians thought the soldiers' hair resembled a buffalo's mane, or the Indians respected the soldiers for their courage and fearlessness, qualities they found in the buffalo. More than 20 Buffalo Soldiers went on to receive the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest award for valor. No other unit has won more. Matthews later served in the South Pacific during World War II. CNN reports he will be buried Monday at Arlington National Cemetery |
| Posted by:john |
| #2 Farewell, dear friend; may God cradle you in his loving arms. |
| Posted by: Atomic Conspiracy 2005-09-18 20:43 |
| #1 Rest in peace. |
| Posted by: Korora 2005-09-18 18:09 |