Description
The 24th Infantry Regiment was a unit formed in the United States Army in 1869 from the 38th and 41st United States 'Colored' Infantry Regiments. At its organization, it was one of five regiments of enlisted Black soldiers. In 1948, President Truman issued Executive Order 9981, calling for the desegregation of the military, however, the 24th Infantry Regiment remained a predominantly Black unit with the exception of the officers. On March 6th, 1950 during the Korean War, the unit advanced across the Han River and faced heavy attack from enemy forces. According to various accounts, some soldiers from the unit withdrew from combat and ran away, tossing their weapons and equipment. Because of these actions, the division commander requested that the unit be disbanded for failing to carry out its mission and for causing distrust in its ability to perform as an infantry regiment was expected. Following the request, the unit was deactivated in 1951. It was reactivated in 1995