NJILGA Trustee Jason Holt has succeeded in securing justice for his family forebearer, Pfc. Thomas C. Hawkins, and Hawkins’ fellow soldiers. Approximately 107 years ago, the largest military court martial and murder trial in the history of the United States took place in San Antonio, Texas. One hundred ten Buffalo Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment were convicted of murder, mutiny, and other crimes. Nineteen Buffalo Soldiers were executed by hanging. The first thirteen, including Pfc. Hawkins, were hanged without appeal, in secrecy and buried at the site of the gallows without headstones. In November of 2023, the United States Army acknowledged that the convictions were a miscarriage of justice during the Jim Crow era of racial bigotry. All one hundred ten convictions were set aside and honorable discharges were granted to the soldiers. Jason Holt along with others worked many years to achieve this goal. Moreover, in an effort to further correct this historical wrong, the Department of Veterans Affairs last month dedicated new headstones for the soldiers, which now include their names, rank, and home state. This historic injustice remains the largest mass execution of American soldiers by the Army. Attached is a link to the CBS Sunday Morning Show which features more information about Jason Holt and his story. NJILGA commends Jason Holt for his dedicated efforts to seek justice and vindicate Pfc. Hawkins and his fellow Buffalo Soldiers. Click “Read more” to view video Read More