A soldier known as the Buffalo Soldier was finally recognized after disappearing during a battle almost 80 years ago.

After many years of being missing, the remains of a brave Buffalo soldier have finally been identified. Pfc. Lemuel Dent Jr. was a member of the African-American 92nd Infantry Division during World War II when he tragically lost his life in battle. His journey began in his hometown of Charles County, Maryland before he went missing following a fierce battle at the Cinquale Canal in northwest Italy in February of 1945.

It wasn't until three months later that the U.S. Army's Graves Registration Service discovered his remains, although only half of his body was found. Due to limited technology at the time, his remains could not be identified for over 50 years as he was missing his chest, head, and arms. His name remained unknown and he was laid to rest in the Florence American Cemetery, along with 12 other brave soldiers who were lost on that fateful day.

It wasn't until almost 80 years later that Dent Jr.'s name resurfaced and he was finally identified. His body was exhumed from his grave in June of 2022 for further forensic analysis, and it was through DNA testing on his thigh bone that a match was found with his family's samples, bringing closure to those who had lost him so long ago.

Sadly, Dent Jr. was not the only soldier from the Buffalo division who went missing in action. In response, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency launched a project to recover the lost names of 50 men. This was a critical mission, as these soldiers were serving in a segregated military where they were not given the same treatment as their fellow soldiers.

According to forensic anthropologist Traci Van Deest at DPAA, these soldiers were not given the same honor and respect as others, and this was a significant factor in their disappearance. The generals of the time considered the battle against the Nazi German soldiers a failure, but they failed to acknowledge the impact of racially-motivated inadequate training.

The Buffalo division was named after a group of Black American soldiers who served in the late 1800s, and the 16th division project is determined to recover all those who went missing from their last battle. This is not the first time that the Buffalo soldiers have faced injustice, as they were stationed at Houston's Camp Logan and falsely convicted 100 years ago. It is a small comfort that now, at least, one of their fallen comrades has been given the recognition and honor he deserves.

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