Buffalo Soldiers Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025

This bill would award a single Congressional Gold Medal to honor the Buffalo Soldier regiments—Black troops first created in 1866—for their long, brave service across U.S. history, from protecting frontier communities and national parks to serving in major wars despite discrimination. After the medal is made, it would go to the National Museum of African American History and Culture so visitors and researchers can see and learn from it, with encouragement to share it at other sites linked to the Buffalo Soldiers . The bill explains why this honor matters, noting the regiments’ low desertion rates, acts of heroism, and roles from the West to World War II and Korea, as well as their early work as park rangers in places like Yosemite and Sequoia .

The U.S. Mint would make the medal and may sell bronze duplicates to cover costs. Money from selling duplicates would go back to the Mint’s fund, so the program pays for itself .

• Who is affected: The Buffalo Soldier regiments (as a group), museum visitors, students, and communities connected to their history .
• What changes: Creation of a national honor, public display of the medal, and education efforts tied to exhibits and loans to other locations .
• How it’s funded: The U.S. Mint produces the medal; bronze duplicates can be sold to cover costs, with proceeds returned to the Mint’s fund .
• Why it matters: It shines a light on the soldiers’ service and sacrifice across the West, the Spanish–American War, World Wars I and II, and Korea, and their early stewardship of national parks .