list of names and present duty of men. Duty written as "D.S. Bicycle Corps" for highlighted members

Iron Riders, The 25th Infantry Regiment Bicycle Corps, Part IV

This is the final post in a series about the 25th Infantry Regiment Bicycle Corps and their missions to test the effectiveness of bicycles for military use. Voyage to St. Louis (final leg), July 16-24, 1897, ~1900 miles (3058 km) For the 25th Infantry Regiment Bicycle Corps, the roads across Missouri were bad and hilly, and with … Continue reading Iron Riders, The 25th Infantry Regiment Bicycle Corps, Part IV

bicycle corps members on a main street in town, one leans on his bike looking into the camera, others stand in background. bikes are packed with frame and handlebar gear, rifles slung on backs

Iron Riders, The 25th Infantry Regiment Bicycle Corps, Part III

This is the third post in a series about the 25th Infantry Regiment Bicycle Corps and their missions to test the effectiveness of bicycles for military use. As noted previously, the Secretary of War on May 4 approved the long distance bicycle trip by the 25th Infantry Regiment. The following day, May 5, General Miles left Washington, … Continue reading Iron Riders, The 25th Infantry Regiment Bicycle Corps, Part III

view of fog covered mountains

Iron Riders, The 25th Infantry Regiment Bicycle Corps, Part II

This is the second post in a series about the 25th Infantry Regiment Bicycle Corps and their missions to test the effectiveness of bicycles for military use. In July 1896, Moss organized at Fort Missoula, from Companies B, F, and H, a bicycle corps to thoroughly test the practicability of the bicycle for military purposes … Continue reading Iron Riders, The 25th Infantry Regiment Bicycle Corps, Part II

group of men in uniforms walking through field w/bicycles. Rifles on back, and bikes are packed with bags

Iron Riders – The 25th Infantry Regiment Bicycle Corps, Part I

This is the first post in a series about the 25th Infantry Regiment Bicycle Corps and their missions to test the effectiveness of bicycles for military use. On November 3, 1917 United States Army Colonel James Alfred Moss, at Camp Upton, New York, took command of the newly organized 367th Infantry Regiment, a unit of … Continue reading Iron Riders – The 25th Infantry Regiment Bicycle Corps, Part I

Larry Doby: A Life of Firsts and Seconds

Today's post was written by Dr. Greg Bradsher, senior archivist at the National Archives in College Park, MD A little over two years ago in 2018 Congress, by Public Law No: 115-322 (132 STAT. 4440-4442) enacted the  Larry Doby Congressional Gold Medal Act. Upon hearing about this, I thought about getting Larry Doby’s autograph at … Continue reading Larry Doby: A Life of Firsts and Seconds

The Freedom Train and the Contagion of Liberty, 1947-1949

Today’s post is written by Dr. Greg Bradsher, Senior Archivist at the National Archives at College Park Late in 1946, Attorney General Tom Clark, concerned about the direction American life was taking in the wake of World War II, decided something dramatic was needed to increase public awareness of their heritage of freedom and the … Continue reading The Freedom Train and the Contagion of Liberty, 1947-1949

Black History Month 2017: Blogs Related to Military

Happy Black History Month! This year the Rediscovering Black History blog at the National Archives would like to highlight select posts from the past. This public blog was created to inform researchers, scholars, students, and anyone interested in records related to African-American history at the National Archives and Presidential Libraries on the vast amount of … Continue reading Black History Month 2017: Blogs Related to Military

Firefly Project and the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion (“Smoke Jumpers”)

Today's post was written by Dr. Greg Bradsher and Dr. Sylvia Naylor, archivists at the National Archives in College Park. In April 1945 the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion received orders to move to the West Coast for a special assignment.  Members of this all African American unit hoped to finally see combat during World War II in the … Continue reading Firefly Project and the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion (“Smoke Jumpers”)