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The Buffalo Saga: A Story from World War II U.S. Army 92nd Infantry Division known as the Buffalo Soldiers

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"The Buffalo Saga", written by James Harden Daugherty gives a unique glimpse at World War II, one through the eyes of an African -American soldier in a segregated outfit. Though there were thousands of black servicemen during the war, the vast majority of them were not placed in combat units. The prejudicial thoughts of the time kept most black soldiers off the front lines, where it was thought they would be given an opportunity to prove themselves equal to the abilities of their white counterparts. If blacks fought and sacrificed, then the justification that they were inferior would be challenged, and the notion that they were only fit for manual labor would be dispelled.

Daugherty was drafted into the army at the age of 19, and found himself in one of the few segregated outfits that saw action, the 92nd Infantry Division. They were given the title "buffalo soldiers" after the black union cavalrymen of the Indian wars and wore a buffalo patch as their insignia. Along with the Tuskegee Airmen and the 761st Tank Battalion, the 92nd would begin the long march toward equality that had eluded African Americans since the end of the Civil war. Daugherty describes this effort as a "benevolent thrust," an apt term for the work of the Greatest Generation, who fought for freedom and equality throughout the world. Daugherty and his comrades from the 92nd did this while not enjoying those freedoms in their own country, which made their sacrifice that much more meaningful. Though Daugherty sites numerous cases throughout the book where race issues clouded the morale of his division, there is still an obvious sense of purpose and pride in duty that accompanies his story. He overcomes the frustration and hatred for prejudice that caused many of his comrades to abandon their efforts, simply going through the motions while bemoaning army hegemony. The 92nd suffered somewhat as a result, and their mention in most history texts is less than favorable, as any gains they made were reversed through counterattack. Daugherty is aware of that fact as he writes, and often points to the command structure, which he felt didn't adequately support them with artillery and reinforcements. He struggles through bitter thoughts that they are being hung out to dry for political reasons, but continues to fight and obey orders to the best of his ability, even earning a bronze star for successfully grabbing a German prisoner on a patrol.

The 92nd was put into action during August of 1944 in the Italian theatre. While elements 370th regiment are credited with the first crossing of the Arno River at the Gothic line, Daugherty and his 371st regiment do not see action until the fall, slamming into the well fortified German mountain positions between Florence and the southern coast of Italy. Daugherty's first encounter is simply the grueling trek up the mountains to the front, through soggy and damp November weather. They are posted in the Serchio Valley sector, ducking mortar shells for the first ten days, before being relieved. After a short break, they prepare for an attack upon a series of German positions in the hills. As Daugherty and his men move forward, furious fighting erupts off the left, while they discover the hilltop farmhouses in their sector are empty after clearing them with grenades. As a lieutenant approaches up the slope, the Germans pin down the group from an adjoining hill, wounding and killing several men from the 92nd. Daugherty finds the elder enlisted man, "senior soldier" badly wounded and embarks on a courageous trek with the man across valleys and mountains to the aid station, 5 hours away. His descriptions of the wounded are the most detailed I have come across, as he really touches on the graphic reality of war, if only for a short time. Though the combat sections are quite short (as is the whole book), there is definitely a clear, vivid portrayal of the mountain fighting in Northern Italy.

After a month in the Serchio Sector, Daugherty's unit is pulled off the line, and his is given a pass to spend Christmas in Florence. He bears witness to the multi-national force of the Allied 5th and British 8th Armies in Italy, as the city is teeming with men from all countries and backgrounds. Though he certainly enjoys himself, there is an incident where he and a friend nearly get into a fight over racist remarks, but Daugherty, ever composed, is able to talk his friend out of any overreaction. Following their return to the front, this time closer to the coast, Daugherty earns his bronze star for capturing a prisoner on a successful patrol. As February dawns, the unit reenters the Serchio to take a three hill complex held by heavy German fortifications. The author's platoon is in reserve and they witness the costly attack, which captures the first hill. Daugherty's men move into position, but are not reinforced and withdrew in the face of a heavy German counterattack. Once again, the 92nd is forced to pull back from previous gains, perhaps denied reinforcements to fulfill a racist political objective, at least that's how many men in the unit felt. Although it is quite possible that there were no troops to send considering the Italian theatre was noted for being at times under strength, especially during the early months of 1945. As Spring arrives, the "big push" get underway, and the Germans are forced back across the Po valley to the Alps. The 92nd sees little combat, but does support the Japanese American 442 RCT, another segregated outfit.

AS the war ends Daugherty spends time on guard duty at a POW hospital and travels through Switzerland before returning home in 1946. His story was written the following year, but he wasn't able to find a publisher until 2009, when the book was released to coincide with President Obama's inauguration, which he views as fulfillment of the quest for equality which began with the efforts of his generation's "benevolent thrust." Though his memories in "The Buffalo Saga" are at times stark and expose war in a straightforward, honest manner the author is able to look back upon his service with pride. The writing has a faint air of triumph, as Daugherty's time in the service began his life's quest to overcome hatred and oppression, while bravely and selflessly fighting for his country and his people.