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369th INFANTRY

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HARLEM HELLFIGHTERS

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F Co., 2nd Battalion of 332 Regt. Inf. , Borghetto, Italy 8-15-1918

NARA111-SC-19736-ac

Source of Photograph: National Archives RG 111

thomas painter 369 colored infantry new york ww1 croix guerre 14 18

369th Inf. Lt. Thomas A. Painter aboard the France

2-10-19

Western Newspaper Union

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Source of Photograph: National Archives RG 111

Officer of the famous 15th Colored Infantry who received  the french "Croix de Guerre"

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Lieut Thomas A. Painter of the 369th (old 15th) Colored Infantery of New York City

just arrived in Hoboken, N.J aboard the France

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The old 15th Infantry Regiment of the New York National Guard were all Black except for the Officers.

While in France, they were reorganized as the 369th Infantry Division.

Also a number of the Black sergeants were promoted to officer

grade as you can see in these pictures.

There were several other all black divisions and regiments in the Army back then.

New York City held a huge celebration for the 'Harlem Hellfighters' return.

The most decorated unit in the War.

Over 2,000 surviving members of the 369th marched up 5th Avenue to Harlem

with State Governor and Mayor of NYC in attendance and millions of citizens.

stewart alexander frank robinson 369 colored infantry new york ww1 croix guerre 14 18

369th members

Cpt Stewart Alexander & Lt. Frank Robinson winners of Croix de Guerre

2-10-19

Western Newspaper Union

NARA111-SC-64015

Source of Photograph: National Archives RG 111

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Cpt Stewart Alexander (on the left) & Lt. Frank Robinson of the 369th (old 15th) N.Y. Colored Infantry,

who won the French "Croix de Guerre" for conspiscious braverry on the field of battle in France.

This regiment was always attached to a French Division

and was the first American Unit to reach the Rhine.

369 colored infantry new york ww1 croix guerre 14 18

369th Croix de Guerre winners returning on the Stockholm

2-13-19

Western Newspaper Union

NARA111-SC-64029

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Front row, left to the right :

Pvts

"Eagle Eye" Ed.Williams

"Lamplight" Herbert Taylor

Leon Traitor

"Kid Hawk" Ralph Hawkins

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Back row

Pvt : HD Prunes

Sgt D. Stormes

Pvts

"Kid" Woney Joe Williams

Arthur Menly

Cpl Taylor

ed williams 369 colored infantry new york ww1 croix guerre 14 18

"Eagle Eye" Ed.Williams

ralph hawkins 369 colored infantry new york ww1 croix guerre 14 18

"Kid Hawk" Ralph Hawkins

woney joe williams 369 colored infantry new york ww1 croix guerre 14 18

"Kid" Woney Joe Williams

herbert taylor 369 colored infantry new york ww1 croix guerre 14 18

"Lamplight" Herbert Taylor

hd prunes 369 colored infantry new york ww1 croix guerre 14 18

HD Prunes

arthur menly 369 colored infantry new york ww1 croix guerre 14 18

Arthur Menly

leon traitor 369 colored infantry new york ww1 croix guerre 14 18

Leon Traitor

d stormes 369 colored infantry new york ww1 croix guerre 14 18

Sgt D. Stormes

taylor 369 colored infantry new york ww1 croix guerre 14 18

Cpl Taylor

369 colored infantry new york ww1 croix guerre 14 18

369th returning on the Stockholm

2-10-19

Western Newspaper Union

Nara111-SC-64035

Source of Photograph: National Archives RG 111

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Heroes of famous 369th (old 15th) Colored Infantry

They went away singing after having earned all the honors of war.

369 colored infantry new york ww1 croix guerre 14 18

369th Inf. return on the France

2-10-19

Western Newspaper Union

NARA111-SC-64005

Source of Photograph: National Archives RG 111

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These men, mostly from New York City and vicinity,

where the first American troops to reach the Rhine

and were cite a more times than any other regiment in the United States Army, in Army orders.

The whole regiment was awarded the French "Croix de Guerre"

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