Buffalo Soldiers to Receive Congressional Gold Medal: Award Will Be Housed at Smithsonian

The “Buffalo Soldiers Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025” is straightforward: it directs Congress to award the Congressional Gold Medal—the highest civilian honor Congress can bestow—to the historic Buffalo Soldier regiments. This is about recognizing the superior, dedicated, and vital service of the 9th and 10th Cavalry and the 24th and 25th Infantry Regiments, who served from 1866 until the military was fully integrated in 1951.

The Honor and the History

This bill is a formal nod to the legacy of these soldiers, who not only fought in conflicts like the Spanish-American War and World Wars I and II but also played a crucial role in securing the American West. The findings section of the bill details their service, noting that they were nicknamed “Buffalo Soldiers” by Native Americans, a name they accepted as a symbol of fierce bravery. Importantly, they also served as some of the first park rangers, protecting places like Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks from poachers and wildfires.

The core action (SEC. 3) directs the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the award. For everyday folks, this means seeing a long-overdue national recognition for soldiers who served with distinction despite facing intense discrimination both inside and outside the military.

Where You Can See It: The Smithsonian Connection

Once the medal is awarded, it won't just sit in a vault. The bill mandates that the medal be transferred to the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. This ensures the medal is permanently displayed and accessible to the public and researchers, connecting the historical service directly to modern understanding of American history.

Furthermore, the bill encourages the Smithsonian to allow the medal to travel and be displayed at other locations and events related to the Buffalo Soldiers. This is a practical move that ensures communities outside of Washington D.C.—especially those where these regiments were stationed—get a chance to experience this piece of history firsthand.

How They’re Paying for It: The Bronze Duplicates

Congress is smart about the costs here. The Secretary of the Treasury is responsible for designing and striking the gold medal, and the initial costs will be covered by the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund (SEC. 6). However, the bill includes a self-funding mechanism (SEC. 4): the Secretary is authorized to create and sell bronze duplicate medals to the public.

Crucially, the selling price of these bronze copies must be high enough to cover all associated costs, including materials, labor, and overhead. Any money generated from the sale of these duplicates goes right back into the Mint’s fund. This means the national honor is achieved without a direct, net cost to the general taxpayer, relying instead on the public’s interest in owning a piece of this commemorative history.