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ARLINGTON, Va. - Three soldiers, once forgotten, received a proper military service at Arlington National Cemetery - with hundreds traveling across the country to honor one of their own.

"85 years, the Buffalo Soldiers in Arizona, like myself, have been trying to get him buried here in Arlington," said Chaz Jackson, Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club of Arizona president.

During that time, Corporal Isaiah Mays was buried in Arizona - forgotten until several groups began the process of giving the war vet a proper place in history.

"He was an indigent in the Arizona State Hospital and was wrapped in a sheet, buried in a hole and spent 84 years in an unmarked grave in the old Arizona State Hospital cemetery," said Ron Eppich, president of Old Guard Riders, Missing in America Project.

Mays was an African-American Buffalo Soldier who received a Congressional Medal of Honor in 1890. "He ended up taking command, after his Sergeant was injured and he moved his men undercover and while wounded in both legs, he crawled to receive assistance for his down soldiers," said Eppich.

"He fought off bandits with 8 other Buffalo Soldiers who tried to rob a payroll," said Jackson.

Sources say his acts of heroism went ignored after being discharged. He was denied a pension and died poor, without any relatives by his side.

But now, men and women from across the country stood by his grave site at Arlington National Cemetery, shedding tears knowing there's finally some closure.

"It's important that we remember the sacrifices that our military men and women have made to protect the freedom that we enjoy," said Eppich.

Two other decorated soldiers also received a proper memorial service at Arlington National Cemetery: Jonathan Callahan, a World War II vet and James Dunn, a Vietnam War vet.

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