Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument

06/14/2026

The 2023 film "Sweetwater" tells the story of Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton, one of the first African Americans to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). But Clifton was also a Buffalo Soldier?

Nat Clifton was born on October 13, 1922, in England, Arkansas. As a kid, Clifton loved soda and often put sugar in his water. His family nicknamed him “Sweetwater” because of this. When Clifton was 8 years old, his family moved to Chicago, Illinois. He attended DuSable High School and joined their basketball teams.

Clifton graduated in 1942 and enrolled in Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana. He played one season for the university’s basketball team before being drafted to the Army. Clifton served for a time in the European Theater during World War II and attained the rank of Sergeant.

After the war, Clifton pursued a career in sports. In 1947, Clifton was signed to the all-Black Harlem Globetrotters. Clifton's success with the Globetrotters sparked interest among the New York Knicks.

The 2023 film, “Sweetwater”, focused on this period of Clifton’s life. As he played for the Harlem Globetrotters and later signed with the New York Knicks on May 24, 1950. In the film, the New York Knicks pursued Clifton not only for his skill, but because he served in the Army. They expressed that given his service, he'd be accepted by the crowds and team.

Though his teammates accepted him, it is unknown if his service was the reason. Much of his experiences in his NBA career after his first game is left out of the film. In 1958, Clifton retired from the NBA and moved back to Chicago. He wanted a low-profile job and worked as a cab driver for the rest of his life.

On August 31, 1990, Nat Clifton died at the age of 67. He is interred in the Restvale Cemetery, Section A3, Row 12, in Alsip, Illinois. In 2014, Clifton was posthumously inducted in the NBA Hall of Fame.

Join us Mondays at 12 pm ET for our series, as we explore the movies and characters inspired by the Buffalo Soldiers. Learn about what was true, altered, or changed in these works of art.

Photo: Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton, courtesy of the Library of Congress

06/05/2026

Congratulations, Lt. Richard Simpson!

The Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site proudly congratulates Lt. Richard Simpson on taking his Oath of Office on June 5, 2026. This milestone marks the beginning of his journey as an officer in the U.S. Air Force and reflects the enduring legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, whose courage, determination, and service continue to inspire new generations of leaders.

Congratulations, Lt. Simpson, and best wishes as you embark on this exciting new chapter of service to our nation!

Alt Text: Lt. Richard Simpson stands beneath a P-51 Mustang aircraft.

06/04/2026

05/22/2026

“Once let the black man get upon his person the brass letters U.S.; let him get an eagle on his button, and a musket on his shoulder, and bullets in his pocket, and there is no power on the earth or under the earth which can deny that he has earned the right of citizenship in the United States.”- Frederick Douglass

, May 22, 1863, the War Department established the Bureau of United States Colored Troops under General Order 143. This order brought all-Black state regiments into federal service in the Civil War. By the end of the Civil War, African American men made up 10% of the entire United States Army.

Though the Bureau ended with the war, African Americans continued to serve in the military. Under the Army Reoganization Act on July 28, 1866,over 500 United States Colored Troops (USCT) directly transferred to one of the six new all-Black regiments. By August 1866, more than 2,500 USCT veterans reenlisted becoming the nation’s first Buffalo Soldiers.

Learn more about Buffalo Soldiers from Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument
IMAGE: Library of Congress

04/25/2026

04/23/2026

During World War II, Fort Oglethorpe, GA, became the site of the Third WAC Training Center, where an impressive 50,000 women trained for vital roles within the army. Their contributions enabled more male soldiers to serve on the front lines, ultimately helping to bring the war to a close. Delving into the history of these remarkable individuals reveals stories that extend well beyond their military service. A particularly notable example is Celina Baez, who was born in 1927 near Lajas, Puerto Rico. Unbeknownst to Celina at the time, her dedication to the Women's Army Corps would one day pave the way for her child to become a Supreme Court Justice. To discover more about Celina Baez and her enduring legacy, please follow the link provided.

https://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-resources/essays/courage-face-unknown-world-war-ii-service-and-legacy-celina-baez-sotomayor

Photo: Celina Baez Sotomayor, ca. 1945 (Sotomayor family photo, as published in USA Today, January 13, 2013)

04/19/2026

John Fox is one of seven African Americans awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions during World War II. A native of Cincinnati, he attended Ohio State University before transferring into the ROTC at Wilberforce University, where he was commissioned as a second lieutenant with the U.S. Army in 1941. The day after Christmas in 1944, while serving as a forward observer to the segregated 92nd Infantry Division, Fox called for air strikes near his observation post when the Germans overran the village of Sommocolonia, Italy. When the artillery strikes failed to halt the Germans, Fox called for artillery directly on his position. Three days later, his body was found amidst over 100 dead Germans. For this the Buffalo Soldier was awarded the Medal of Honor and in 1997 was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame.

04/18/2026

04/17/2026

Join us this Saturday!!!