I recently found out about this article from DAV Magazine about Harlem’s own 15th New York National Guard Regiment, who volunteered to serve as part of the American Expeditionary Force in World War One.
It’s an amazing unit made up of family, friends and neighbors, all Black men who wanted to serve their nation. They deployed to France as the 369th Infantry Regiment and served with great distinction earning the name of the “Harlem Hellfighters.”
Unfortunately, a racially integrated military wouldn’t come until after the Second World War and like so many other minority troops, the men of the 369th faced discrimination during and after their service.
True heroes, they are a distinguished part of our American story and have been honored, belatedly, for their contributions to this great nation. While there have been multiple individual awards, including the first American awarded the French Croix de Guerre, the unit was honored with the Congressional Gold Medal in 2021.
Please read this article by Elizabeth DePompei about their story at www.dav.org/learn-more/news/2026/for-this-black-world-war-i-regiment-battle-was-on-two-fronts.
Never forget those who have served their country.
4/30 Infantry – Rock of the Marne – Harlem Hellfighters – my BCT CO at Sand Hill, Ft Benning, GA had direct lineage to this unit. Really impressive unit history and when you’re an 11B BCT private it was super motivating! I’m proud to have a small amount of heraldic historic affiliation.