Virtual History Talk - “We Return Fighting”: The Harlem Hellfighters in World War I
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National Museum of the United States Army 1775 Liberty Dr, Fort Belvoir, Virginia 22060
Public Domain
Soldiers from the 369th wearing their Croix de Guerre medals.
From the Revolutionary War through the present day, African Americans have proudly served the U.S. Army, many serving in segregated units and not always given the respect and honor due to them.
On December 27, 1918, the 369th Infantry Regiment docked in Brest, France. The all-Black regiment, comprised of men from Harlem, New York, and surrounding cities, were assigned to the Service of Supplies – unloading ships and building roads and railroads. Three months later, the regiment was transferred to the French Army where they were given a position on the frontlines and earned a new nickname: “Hellfighters.” In the 191 days, the men spent on the front lines no ground was lost and no man was captured. Their actions earned them accolades in France and they were celebrated on their return to the United States.
In this History Talk, explore the commitment, challenges, and bravery of the Harlem Hellfighters. Learn how their actions, along with the thousands of other Black World War I veterans, contributed to the Allied victory. Examine the legacy of their service and its impact on the civil rights movement.
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