Harlem Hellfighters is the popular name for the
369th Infantry Regiment, formerly the
15th New YorkNew York is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous. The state is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
National GuardThe National Guard of the United States is a reserve military force composed of state National Guard militia members or units under federally recognized active or inactive armed force service for the United States...
Regiment. The unit was also known as
The Black Rattlers, in addition to several other nicknames. The 369th Infantry Regiment was known for being the first
NegroNegro is a term referring to people of Black ancestry. Prior to the shift in the lexicon of American and worldwide classification of race and ethnicity in the late 1960s, the appellation was accepted as a normal, completely neutral, formal term both by those of Black African descent as well as...
Regiment during
WWIWorld War I , also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All Wars, was a global military conflict which involved most of the world's great powers, assembled in two opposing alliances: the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance...
.
The 369th Infantry Regiment was constituted June 2, 1913 in the
New York Army National GuardThe New York National Guard comprises both Army and Air National Guard components. The Constitution of the United States specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal and state missions. In fact, the National Guard is the only United States military force empowered to function in a...
as the 15th New York Infantry Regiment.
Harlem Hellfighters is the popular name for the
369th Infantry Regiment, formerly the
15th New YorkNew York is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous. The state is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
National GuardThe National Guard of the United States is a reserve military force composed of state National Guard militia members or units under federally recognized active or inactive armed force service for the United States...
Regiment. The unit was also known as
The Black Rattlers, in addition to several other nicknames. The 369th Infantry Regiment was known for being the first
NegroNegro is a term referring to people of Black ancestry. Prior to the shift in the lexicon of American and worldwide classification of race and ethnicity in the late 1960s, the appellation was accepted as a normal, completely neutral, formal term both by those of Black African descent as well as...
Regiment during
WWIWorld War I , also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All Wars, was a global military conflict which involved most of the world's great powers, assembled in two opposing alliances: the Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance...
.
History
The 369th Infantry Regiment was constituted June 2, 1913 in the
New York Army National GuardThe New York National Guard comprises both Army and Air National Guard components. The Constitution of the United States specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal and state missions. In fact, the National Guard is the only United States military force empowered to function in a...
as the 15th New York Infantry Regiment. It was organized on June 29, 1916 at
New York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States, and the center of the New York metropolitan area, which is among the most populous urban areas in the world. A leading global city, New York exerts a powerful influence over worldwide commerce, finance, culture, fashion and entertainment...
. It was mustered into Federal service on July 25, 1917 at Camp Whitman , New York. It was drafted into Federal service August 5, 1917. The regiment trained in the New York Area, performed Guard Duty at various locations in New York, and trained more intensely at Camp Wadsworth in Spartanburg,
South CarolinaSouth Carolina is a U.S. state that borders Georgia to the south and North Carolina to the north. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence from the British Crown during the American Revolution. The colony was...
, where they experienced significant racism from the local communities, and other units. The 15th Infantry Regiment NYARNG was Assigned on December 1, 1917 to the 185th Infantry Brigade.
It was commanded by Col. William Hayward, a member of the
Union League Club of New YorkThe Union League Club of New York is a prominent social club in New York City. Its fourth and current clubhouse is a building designed by Benjamin Wystar Morris, located at 38 E...
, which sponsored the 369th in the tradition of the 20th U.S. Colored Infantry, which the club had also sponsored in the
Civil WarThe American Civil War , also known as the War Between the States and several other names, was a civil war in the United States of America. Eleven Southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America...
.
The 15th Infantry Regiment shipped out from the New York Port of Embarkation on December 27, 1917, and joined its Brigade upon arrival in
FranceFrance , officially the French Republic , is a country located in Western Europe, with several overseas islands and territories located on other continents. Metropolitan France extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and the North Sea, and from the Rhine to the Atlantic Ocean...
, but the unit was relegated to Labor Service duties instead of combat training. The 185th Infantry Brigade was assigned on January 5, 1918 to the 93rd Division [Provisional].
The 15th Infantry Regiment, NYARNG was Reorganized and redesignated March 1, 1918 as the 369th Infantry Regiment, but the unit continued Labor Service duties while it waited the decision as to what to do with the unit.
It was finally decided on April 8, 1918 to assign the unit to the
French ArmyThe French Army, officially the Armée de Terre , is the land-based component of the French Armed Forces and its largest. As of 2008, the army employs 133,947 regular soldiers and 24 000+ civilians...
for duration of the United States participation in the war. The men were issued French helmets and brown leather belts and pouches, although they continued to wear their U.S. uniforms. The 369th Infantry Regiment was Relieved May 8, 1918 from assignment to the 185th Infantry Brigade, and went into the trenches as part of the French 16th Division and served continuously to July 3. The regiment returned to combat in the
Second Battle of the MarneThe Second Battle of the Marne , or Battle of Reims was the last major German Spring Offensive on the Western Front during World War I...
. Later the 369th was reassigned to Gen. Lebouc’s 161st Division in order to participate in the Allied counterattack. On August 19, the regiment went off the line for rest and training of replacements. On September 25, 1918 the
French 4th ArmyThe Fourth Army was a Field army of the French Army, which fought during World War I and World War II.-World War I:*General Fernand de Langle de Cary *General Henri Gouraud...
went on the offensive in conjunction with the American drive in the Meuse-Argonne. The 369th turned in a good account of itself in heavy fighting, sustaining severe losses. They captured the important village of
Séchault Séchault is a commune in the Ardennes department in northern France.-References:*...
. At one point the 369th advanced faster than French troops on their right and left flanks. There was danger of being cut off. By the time the regiment pulled back for reorganization, it had advanced fourteen kilometers through severe German resistance.
In Mid-October the regiment was moved to a quiet sector in the
Vosges MountainsFor the department of France of the same name, see Vosges.The Vosges are a range of low mountains in eastern France, near its border with Germany...
, It was there on November 11, the day of the Armistice. Six days later the 369th made its last advance and on November 26, reached the banks of the Rhine river, the first Allied unit to get there.
The regiment was relieved on December 12, 1918 from assignment to the French 161st Division, and returned to the New York Port of Embarkation. It was Demobilized on February 28, 1919 at
Camp UptonCamp Upton was an installation of the United States Army located in Yaphank on Long Island in Suffolk County, New York. It was located near Camp Mills.-History:...
at
Yaphank, New YorkYaphank is a census-designated place in Suffolk County, New York, United States. The population was 5,025 at the 2000 census.Yaphank is a community in the south part of the Town of Brookhaven...
, and returned to the New York Army National Guard.
During its service the regiment suffered 1500 casualties and took part in the following campaigns:
- Champagne–Marne
The Second Battle of the Marne , or Battle of Reims was the last major German Spring Offensive on the Western Front during World War I...
- Meuse–Argonne
The Meuse-Argonne Offensive, also called the Battle of the Argonne Forest, was a part of the final Allied offensive of World War I that stretched along the entire western front. The whole offensive was planned by Marshall Ferdinand Foch to breach the Hindenburg line and ultimately force the...
- Champagne 1918
- Alsace 1918
One
Medal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed on a member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes themselves "conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while...
and many
Distinguished Service CrossThe Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, awarded for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high...
es were awarded to members of the regiment. The most celebrated man in the 369th was Pvt.
Henry Lincoln JohnsonHenry Lincoln Johnson was an American soldier, and recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart and French Croix de Guerre.-Biography:...
, a former Albany, New York, rail station porter, who earned the nickname "Black Death" for his actions in combat in France. In May 1918 Johnson and Pvt. Needham Roberts fought off a 24-man German patrol, though both were severely wounded. After they expended their ammunition, Roberts used his rifle as a club and Johnson battled with a
bolo knifeA bolo is a large cutting tool similar to the machete, used particularly in the jungles of Indonesia, the Philippines, and in the sugar fields of Cuba...
. Johnson was the first American to receive the
Croix de GuerreThe croix de guerre is a military decoration of both France and Belgium, where it is also known as the Oorlogskruis . It was first created in 1915 in both countries and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins...
. By the end of the war, 171 members of the 369th were awarded the Legion of Honor.
http://www.explorepahistory.com/~expa/cms/pbfiles/Project1/Scheme40/ExplorePAHistory-a0b1b6-a_514.pdf
Photographs show that the 369th carried the New York Regimental flag overseas. The French government awarded the regiment the
Croix de GuerreThe croix de guerre is a military decoration of both France and Belgium, where it is also known as the Oorlogskruis . It was first created in 1915 in both countries and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins...
with silver star for the taking of
Séchault Séchault is a commune in the Ardennes department in northern France.-References:*...
. It was pinned to the colors by General Lebouc at a ceremony in Germany, December 13, 1918.
One of the first units in the United States armed forces to have
NegroNegro is a term referring to people of Black ancestry. Prior to the shift in the lexicon of American and worldwide classification of race and ethnicity in the late 1960s, the appellation was accepted as a normal, completely neutral, formal term both by those of Black African descent as well as...
officers in addition to its all-black enlisted corps, the 369th compiled an astounding war record, earning several unit citations along with many individual decorations for valor from the French government.
The 369th Infantry Regiment was the first New York unit to return to the United States, and was the first unit to march up Fifth Avenue from the
Washington Square ParkWashington Square Park is one of the best-known of New York City's 1,900 public parks. At 9.75 acres , it is a landmark in the Manhattan neighborhood of Greenwich Village, as well as a meeting place and center for cultural activity...
Arch to their Armory in
HarlemHarlem is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan, long known as a major African-American residential, cultural, and business center. Originally a Dutch village, formally organized in 1658, it is named after the city of Haarlem in the Netherlands.Harlem has been defined by a series...
, and their unit was placed on the permanent list with other veteran units.
In re-capping the story of the 369th Arthur W. Little, who had been a battalion commander, wrote in the regimental history “From Harlem to the Rhine” that it was official that the outfit was 191 days under fire, never lost a foot of ground or had a man taken prisoner, though on two occasions men were captured but they were recovered. Only once did it fail to take its objective and that was due largely to bungling by French artillery support. There were 1500 casualties.
During the war the 369th's regimental band (under the direction of
James Reese EuropeJames Reese Europe was an American ragtime and early jazz bandleader, arranger, and composer. He was the leading figure on the African American music scene of New York City in the 1910s.-Biography:...
) became famous throughout Europe, being the first to introduce the until-then unknown music called
jazzJazz is a musical art form which originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States from a confluence of African and European music traditions....
to British, French and other audiences, and starting a worldwide demand for it.
The filker
Michael LongcorMichael Longcor is a folk and filk singer. His songs span a range of topics including military history, Indiana history, and humor. He has won six Pegasus Awards and has been nominated for six others. His music has appeared on Dr...
is the recorder of the song "The Ballad of Esau's Sons" (lyrics by Martha Keller), which describes the 369th's exploits during World War I without explicitly naming the unit.
Notable soldiers
- Sgt. Henry Johnson
Henry Lincoln Johnson was an American soldier, and recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart and French Croix de Guerre.-Biography:...
, winner of the Croix de GuerreThe croix de guerre is a military decoration of both France and Belgium, where it is also known as the Oorlogskruis . It was first created in 1915 in both countries and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins...
- Spotswood Poles, referred to as "the black Ty Cobb
Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was a baseball player and is regarded by some historians and journalists as the best player of the dead-ball era, and is generally seen as one of the greatest players of all time.In 1936, Cobb received the most votes of any player on the...
" for his prowess in the Professional Negro Baseball leagues in the early 1900s
- Colonel Hamilton Fish III
Hamilton Fish III was a soldier and politician from New York State...
, Regimental Commander of the 369th Regiment, New York Congressman, author, and Founder of the Order of LafayetteThe Order of Lafayette is a patriotic, hereditary, nonpartisan, and fraternal organization established in New York City in 1958 by Colonel Hamilton Fish III , a former Congressman from New York and decorated veteran of the First World War...
.
- Lieutenant James Europe, an early ragtime
Ragtime is an originally American musical genre which enjoyed its peak popularity between 1897 and 1918. Its main characteristic trait is its syncopated, or "ragged", rhythm. It began as dance music in the red-light districts of American cities such as St. Louis and New Orleans years before being...
and jazzJazz is a musical art form which originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States from a confluence of African and European music traditions....
bandleader and composer.
- Bill "Bojangles" Robinson
Bill “Bojangles” Robinson was an American tap dancer and actor of stage and film.-Early years:Robinson was born in Richmond, Virginia to Maxwell, a machine-shop worker, and Maria Robinson, a choir singer...
, tap danceTap dance is a form of dance characterized by a tapping sound that is created from metal plates that are attached to both the ball and heel of the dancer's shoe...
r and actor
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
- A shield-shaped embroidered item, arched outwardly at top blazoned as follows: Per chevron Argent and Gules, between three palets counterchanged, two poplar trees Vert; all with a 1/8 inch (.32 cm) Blue border.
- Overall dimensions are 2 7/16 inches (6.19 cm) in width and 3 inches (7.62 cm) in length.
- The chevron, heraldic symbol for support, suggests the unit’s mission.
- The palets/vertical bars signify military strength and allude to the three campaigns in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq.
- The counterchanged colors of the palets/vertical bars signify the various transformations of the unit to become the 396th Sustainment Brigade.
- The poplar tree, adapted from the 369th Infantry Battalion’s coat of arms, indicates the Brigade perpetuating the lineage of the Battalion.
- Background: The shoulder sleeve insignia was approved for the 369th Sustainment Brigade on 2008-02-07.
Distinctive Unit Insignia
- Description: A silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/4 inches (3.18 cm) in height overall consisting of a blue shield charged with a silver rattlesnake coiled and ready to strike.
- The rattlesnake is a symbol used on some colonial flags and is associated with the thirteen original colonies.
- The silver rattlesnake on the blue shield was the distinctive regimental insignia of the 369th Infantry Regiment, ancestor of the unit, and alludes to the service of the organization during World War I.
- The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 369th Infantry Regiment on 1923-04-17.
- It was redesignated for the 369th Coast Artillery Regiment on 1940-12-03.
- It was redesignated for the 369th Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion on 1944-01-07.
- It was redesignated for the 569th Field Artillery Battalion on 1956-08-14.
- The insignia was redesignated for the 369th Artillery Regiment on 1962-04-04.
- It was amended to correct the wording of the description on 1964-09-02.
- It was redesignated for the 569th Transportation Battalion and amended to add a motto on 1969-03-13.
- The insignia was redesignated for the 369th Transportation Battalion and amended to delete the motto on 1975-01-14.
- It was redesignated for the 369th Support Battalion and amended to revise the description and symbolism on 1994-11-02.
- The insignia was redesignated for the 369th Sustainment Brigade and amended to revise the description and symbolism on 2007-07-20.
External links