H.R. 297 Summary

• Honors 511 African-American Ohioans who enlisted in the 54th and 55th Regiments of the Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry between April and June 1863, when Ohio did not permit African-Americans to enlist in state military units.

• Documents that soldiers from these regiments served with honor in major Civil War battles including the Assault on Fort Wagner, Battle of Honey Hill, Battle of Boykin's Mills, Battle of Oolustee, and Folly Island.

• Recognizes Corporal Henry F. Peal of Oberlin, Ohio, who received the Gillmore Medal for bravery in carrying the flag during the Assault on Fort Wagner.

• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to transmit authenticated copies of the resolution to Ohio news media outlets.