Hunters double down to become Black Jack Soldiers

Photo By Spc. Paul Harris | Lt. Col. Monty Willoughby, commander, 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, receives the new colors from Col. John Hort, commander, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., at a ceremony on Fort Carson, Colo., Oct. 18.  

10.18.2007

Story by Spc. Paul Harris 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

By Spc. Paul J. Harris
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

FORT CARSON, Colo. –- General John Pershing is one of the most decorated and respected generals in U.S. military history. He earned the name "Black Jack" for leading a unit of black Soldiers during the early 1900s, a social taboo at the time. He overcame the challenges of his time to excel and succeed.

It is fitting that the Hunters of 2nd Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division be re-flagged as one of Pershing's old units: 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., October 18 at Fort Carson.

"Originally I was very disappointed (to be re-flagged) because we have a recent history, a recent deployment of our own," said Lt. Col. Monty Willoughby, commander, 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry. "The spirit of the unit lives in the Soldiers. It is easy for us to go from the 9th CAV to the 10th CAV as they were both Buffalo Soldiers and share a lot of similarities."

Buffalo Soldiers was a nickname given to the Soldiers of the 10th Cavalry by the Native Americans they fought in the late 1800s. Even though there were African American units in the Civil War, the Buffalo Soldiers were the first peacetime black regiment created by Congress.

For Cpl. Ismael Gomez, scout, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry, the significance of the history was not lost upon him. He was on the color guard for the ceremony dressed in the regalia of a typical Buffalo Soldier.

"What it means for me is that I am representing the true cavalry spirit," Gomez said. "Since I am Dominican I am a minority also. Being a Buffalo Soldier, it stands for 9th and 10th (Cavalry regiments) for the black Soldiers who were here before. It makes me feel good, like I am supposed to be here."

The re-flag occurred to create continuity between the other cavalry regiments within the Ivy Division. 3rd BCT was the only brigade that did not have a cavalry regiment from the 10th Cavalry. Whatever the reason makes no difference to Willoughby.

"It is a small name change but we will still be the same unit," Willoughby said. "No matter what your race, no matter what your creed or color when you look back at the battles (the Buffalo Soldiers) fought, the accomplishments they made is just tremendous and it is great to be a part of that unit."

• Date Taken: 10.18.2007
• Date Posted: 10.22.2007 13:24
• Story ID: 13191