The 15th New York National Guard had existed prior to the U.S. Civil War. They were a military unit of African-Americans and had protected the New York harbor during the Civil War.
When the U.S. entered World War I, African Americans were eager to join the fight, thinking it might change attitudes toward their race. They were turned away. The Selective Service Act required all men from 21 to 30 years of age to register for the draft. Race was not a factor, so African Americans were given an opportunity to serve in the military.
The 15th New York National Guard was reorganized as the 369th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army. As they were trained for service in the war, the 369th Unit faced considerable racism in South Carolina. Rather than respond, the unit formed a unique bond and determination to show their value in fighting the war.
But when they arrived in France on January 1, 1918, they found out that they would not serve in combat, but play a support role in handling supplies and cleaning latrines. It was the urging of the British and French that finally gave the 369th regiment an opportunity for combat duty. The leaders of England and France wanted President Woodrow Wilson to supply American troops to join the depleted ranks of their soldiers. President Wilson resisted because he wanted American troops to be under an American command. The compromise was to “give” the 369th regiment to the French to command.
The 369th entered combat on April 15, 1918, a month before the U.S. Army. The 369th was instrumental in stopping German advances. When the combined American and French forces took the offensive, the 369th took some of the most severe casualties. In one battle, 144 soldiers were killed and nearly 1,000 were wounded. Ultimately, the 369th made history by being the first American soldiers to cross the Rhine River.
The 369th regiment was engaged in battle for more than half a year, more than any U.S. regiment. When the war ended, they returned to the U.S. to victory parades. Unfortunately, the racism they experienced before the war was still present.
There is no consensus on how the Harlem Hellfighters’ name came to be, with it most likely being a media creation. The regiment continued after World War I, but the Pentagon wanted to change its name to the Colored Infantry.
One hundred seventy soldiers who fought bravely for the 369th were recognized by the French government with the Croix de Guerra. The U.S. took over 100 years to recognize their efforts.
Few of us know of the valiant efforts of the Harlem Hellfighters. Why is that? That’s a question that remains at the soul of America.
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“Our great American general simply put the black orphan in a basket, set it on the doorstep of the French, pulled the bell, and went away.”—William Hayward (white commander of the 369th)