Tag Archives: Harlem Hellfighters

‘Harlem Hellfighters’ get their Gold

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“Hellfighters of Harlem in the Meuse-Argonne, September 26-October 1, 1918.” The 369th Infantry fought valiantly in the Allied (Champagne) Offensive as part of the French 161st Division, U.S. Army painting by Col. H Charles McBarron Jr

Black New York National Guard Soldiers, known as “Hellfighters” for their fight against the Kaiser’s boys 100 years ago, were recognized with Congress’s highest honor during a recent ceremony at the U.S. Capitol.

The Congressional Gold Medal was presented to descendants of some of the 4,000 Soldiers who served in the 369th Infantry Regiment, nicknamed the Harlem Hellfighters, during World War I.

Max Brooks on the Harlem Hell Fighters

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The 369th INF Regiment (15th New York National Guard Infantry Regiment) was formed in 1913 and was known after their WWI service as the Harlem Hellfighters, the Black Rattlers and the Men of Bronze due to the demographic make up of their rank and file.

Fighting with French weapons, helmets and web gear, they wore U.S. uniforms into battle as they were assigned to French Army command because many white American soldiers refused to perform combat duty with black soldiers.

harlem hellfighters max brooks harlem hellfighters max brooks 2Max Brooks, the WWZ guy, has written a graphic novel about the Hellfighters, and it sounds rather interesting in the NPR’s All things considered interview below.

 

http://www.npr.org/player/embed/294913379/297866888