In 1916, as America debated entering the Great War, Black Americans were fighting for their rights at home. In this climate, the 15th New York Infantry Regiment was born in June. It was the state’s first all-Black National Guard unit, created to prove that military service entitled Black men to full citizenship. Colonel William Hayward, a white attorney, was appointed to lead them. He recruited heavily from the community of Harlem, setting up stations in places like the Lafayette Theatre. The idea was simple but profound: by fighting for democracy abroad, these men would demand democracy at home. Their journey would test this idea in ways no one could have imagined, forging them into one of the most famous units of the war.
The Harlem Hellfighters
The Harlem Hellfighters, the all-Black 369th Infantry Regiment that spent 191 days at the front in the First World War and brought jazz to France.
Chapter 1
An Army from Harlem
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Part of
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the Harlem Hellfighters?
The Harlem Hellfighters was the nickname for the 369th Infantry Regiment, originally the 15th New York Infantry. They were an all-Black American combat unit in World War I, famed for their bravery under French command and for spending more time in continuous combat than any other American unit.
Why did the 369th fight with the French army instead of the American army?
Due to segregation in the U.S. military, white American units refused to fight alongside Black soldiers. The American high command transferred the 369th to the French Army, which was desperate for reinforcements and integrated them into their ranks, treating them as equals.
What happened to Henry Johnson after the war?
Despite his incredible heroism, Henry Johnson's official U.S. discharge papers did not list his 21 combat injuries, making him ineligible for disability benefits. He died poor and relatively unknown in 1929. After decades of effort, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 2015.
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