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William T. Buford Military Record, 1941-1952, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Official Army records of William Tucker Buford's military service from his enlistment in 1941 to his dismissal from service in 1952 due to a guilty plea after being court martialed. Buford was an African American service member who served in World War II and quickly rose to the rank of First Lieutenant by 1949. In 1943 Buford also received a diploma for completing the engineer officer course at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Throughout his career, Buford served in multiple locations including Louisiana where he was in charge of an engineering unit, and California where he was appointed commander of the 795th Engineer dump truck company at Camp Roberts. He remained with that company as it transferred from Camp Roberts to Fort Lewis, Washington. Buford's undoing with the Army occurred while he was stationed in Korea with EUSAK (Eighth United States Army in Korea). He was charged with selling lumber to a South Korean man in excess of 100 dollars. Buford plead guilty to the charge and his sentence was dismissal from the service, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and two years of hard labor. This record includes some photographs of Buford along with the companies in which he served or commanded.
Various photographs featuring or taken by William T. Buford. Kept in original order. These photographs could not be removed from the backing without causing damage. Kept in original order. Oversize Items – 2 photograph sleeves. Includes photograph, circa 1951-1952, of African American troop marching. Post Studios- Official Photographers – Fort Lewis, Washington.
Various photographs featuring or taken by William T. Buford. No original order.
Various photographs featuring or taken by William T. Buford. No original order.
Various photographs featuring or taken by William T. Buford. No original order.
Documents from the Engineer Unit Training Center in Camp Claiborne, Louisiana.
Documents from the Engineer Unit Training Center in Camp Claiborne, Louisiana.
Buford's diploma for completing the Engineer Officer Candidate Course, physical examination report, probate of will for J. E. Buford, other records from the training center in Camp Claiborne, Louisiana. The records in this folder were kept in their original order.
Records from the training center in Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, Officer's Manual of Information from the Engineer Replacement Training Center in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. The records in this folder were kept in their original order
Records about the Sawmill Detachment Co. "D" 1312th Engineer GS Regiment APO 503, Operation of Regimental Sawmill.
Records letting Amanda Buford know when her husband, William Buford, had departed and more records about the Operation of Regimental Sawmill.
Second Edition, War Department Pamphlet No. 20-7.
Recommendation for a promotion, roster of officers.
Roster of officers, records discussing Buford's and others promotions.
War Department Pay and Allotment Account records, movement directives.
Personnel roster, readjustment group RK 13506-40 for separation center No. 40, Fort Lewis, Washington records, movement directives.
11th Replacement Battalion movement directives, Letter of appreciation from the War Department.
Military Record and Report of Service Certificate of Service (Thumbprint included), list of assignments for Engineer Reserve Officers, application for short tour of active duty training, and certificate of individual performance of reserve duty.
Vol.1 No. 1, "Designed to provide current information on the latest developments in the reserve program."
Certificate of appreciate from Harry Truman, Certificate of Service from the U.S. Army given at Separation Center Camp Peale, CA, Certificates from the president of the United States appointing/promoting Buford to new positions in the military.
Certificate of individual performance of reserve duty, promotion records, and active duty training correspondence.
Qualification questionnaire, handwritten notes, and Navy Department records.
Qualification record, Chronological record of military service and certificates for increased allowance.
Records from Camp Roberts, California, appointment in the Officers' Reserve Corps for William Buford, and records extending active duty.
Checks payable and receipts.
Checks payable and receipts.
Civilian medical attendance records.
Movement orders for 354th Engineer Combat Group Units, Report of Investigation: Automobile accident and injury involving William Buford.
Movement orders, Line of duty status, and Special orders for the 795th Engr. Dump Truck Co.
Special Orders Extract records, Disciplinary punishment for Buford, and records concerning a special court-martial convened at Fort Lewis.
Special Court Martial Orders, List of rifle serial numbers, and Statement of Service, Breach of motor SOP records.
Failure to make Reveille Formation records, Medical examination records, and lists of equipment.
Post Regulations.
Application for quarters on post, report of survey, and orders from H. R. Maddux Major, Inf. Acting Asst. Adj. General.
Certificate stating the 1401st Engineer Combat Battalion moved, Officer's Clearance Certificate, Orders for Captain Buford, and a restricted destination list.
Camp Drake Replacement Depot Special Orders to Extract and special orders from the Eighth United States Army Korea.
Special orders to extract: approved for travel and records from the Finance section.
Special orders to extract Buford to go to Tokyo-Yokohama area, handwritten notes about the co-operating strength, Officers Roster, and Arrest of Quarters pending trial by General Court Martial for Buford.
Arrest of Quarters pending final action on Buford's General Court Martial, General Court Martial Order for Violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Article 108. Captain William Buford, while in Seoul, Korea around July 1-9, 1952, sold lumber that was military property, worth $100. Buford was found guilty and was sentenced to be dismissed from the service, forfeit all pay and allowances, and confined to hard labor for two years. Also, includes a personnel roster for Readjustment Group RK 13506-42.