Interview with Buffalo Soldier Harold G. Smith

Harold G. Smith was drafted into the U.S. Army, commissioned as a Lieutenant, and  assigned to the Buffalo Soldiers of the 92nd Infantry.  At that time, the army had a protocol; they assigned white officers, mostly from the south, to command the black (colored) troops in segregated units.  Smith is white, but he’s not from the south.  He was born and raised in upstate New York.  That meant he brought a different perspective.  In this interview, Smith shares his recollections of that time. After the war, Smith returned to the states.  He was recalled to duty for the Korean War and eventually retired from the army with the rank of Major.

After watching the interview, make sure to check out the collection of photos of some of the items that Smith has meticulously maintained in his foot locker.  He’s kept almost everything from his time with the 92nd and his memorabilia tells a story of its own!

 

 

Pictures from the collection of Harold G. Smith

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Here are some items from the collection of Harold G. Smith.  He entered WWII as a Lieutenant with the Buffalo Soldiers of the 92nd Infantry.  He eventually retired as a Major.  Included in the collection below: pictures of Harold Smith … Continue reading

Buffalo Soldiers Documentary Now Available Online!

Buffalo

In recognition of Memorial Day, as well as in appreciation for ALL who served and sacrificed, I’ve uploaded my documentary Deeds Not Words: The Buffalo Soldiers in World War II.  The documentary follows the Buffalo Soldiers of the Army’s 92nd Infantry Division from their time in basic training, through their tour of combat in the Italian Theater from 1944-1945, and then back home after the war.

Making this documentary was truly an honor.  There’s a saying, “war is hell”.  These men experienced hell on many levels. It was both awe-inspiring, and awful, to hear how they had to battle the Germans on one side, and then their own officers.  And then, after fighting for liberty abroad, to come home and see that those same liberties they fought for for others, did not apply to them…

One other element of this project also breaks my heart.  I started work on the documentary in 2004.  Of all the members of the unit you see, as of Memorial Day weekend 2014, only one is left – Joseph Hairston.

They say you don’t appreciate something until it’s gone.  Many of our WWII vets are already gone, and it’s estimated that another thousand pass away every day.  So, whether it’s Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day, or any day that ends in “Y”, please take a moment to pay tribute and offer your appreciation to those who served in the past, and those who are serving today.

92nd Photos - Cemetery.10