February 15th 2025.
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and Senator Cory Booker have joined forces to lead a significant effort in securing a highly coveted award for the brave African American soldiers who served in the Union Army during the Civil War. The prestigious Congressional Gold Medal is being sought to honor the 200,000 African Americans who fought for the Union, and the bill has been aptly named the United States Colored Troops Congressional Gold Medal Act, which was introduced on Monday to coincide with Black History Month.
If this bill is approved, it would be a posthumous recognition of the immense sacrifices that approximately 200,000 African American men made while serving in the Union Army, as well as the 19,000 who served in the Union Navy. Congresswoman Norton stated in a press release that the nation's historical memory has largely overlooked these heroic individuals, despite the fact that they risked their safety and, in many cases, their lives. She expressed her gratitude to Senator Booker for his collaboration and for introducing the Senate version of the bill early in this Congress, emphasizing the importance of correcting the wrongs of the past and giving these soldiers' descendants the recognition they truly deserve.
While African Americans had a long history of serving in wars prior to the Civil War, there was initial reluctance to recruit them as soldiers when the conflict began. However, on May 22, 1863, the United States War Department issued General Order Number 143, which established the Bureau of Colored Troops to organize and enlist regiments of African American soldiers, known as the United States Colored Troops. By the end of the war, approximately 179,000 Black men had served in the Union Army, and another 19,000 served in the Navy. It's worth noting that although Black women were not permitted to officially enlist, they made valuable contributions as nurses, cooks, spies, and scouts for both the Army and Navy.
Senator Booker shared his thoughts on the bill, recognizing the vital role that African Americans have played in serving our country's armed forces for centuries. He acknowledged that the United States Colored Troops were often overlooked or forgotten, but their contributions were crucial in preserving the Union during the Civil War. He stressed the importance of honoring their legacy and ensuring that their service and sacrifice are remembered as integral parts of our nation's history. It has been over 150 years since the war ended, and this bill aims to finally bestow the Congressional Gold Medal upon these American heroes, in recognition of their unwavering fight for liberty, equality, and justice.
Congresswoman Holmes is urging her fellow members of Congress to support the bill and work towards its passage. In related news, there are efforts to honor another Civil War hero, Robert Smalls, with a statue at the statehouse. Smalls, who was a Gullah Geechee and a former slave, made history by commandeering a Confederate ship and delivering it to Union forces. These efforts serve as a reminder of the brave and selfless actions of African Americans during the Civil War, which deserve to be recognized and celebrated.
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