369th Infantry Regiment (United States)
| 15th New York National Guard Regiment 369th Infantry Regiment |
|
|---|---|
Coat of arms
|
|
| Active | 1913–1945 |
| Country |
 United States |
| Branch |
 United States Army
|
| Type | Infantry |
| Nickname(s) | "The Harlem Hellfighters" |
| Motto(s) | "Don't Tread On Me" |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Benjamin O. Davis, Sr. |
| Insignia | |
| DUI |  |
| U.S. Infantry Regiments | |
|---|---|
| Previous | Next |
| 367th Infantry Regiment | 370th Infantry Regiment |
}}
The 369th Infantry Regiment, formerly known as the 15th New York National Guard Regiment, was an infantry regiment of the United States Army National Guard during World War I and World War II. The Regiment consisted mainly of African Americans, though it also included a number of Puerto Rican Americans during World War II. It was known for being the first African American regiment to serve with the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I. Before the 15th New York National Guard Regiment was formed, any African American that wanted to fight in the war had to enlist in the French or Canadian armies. The regiment was nicknamed the Harlem Hellfighters, the Black Rattlers, and the Men of Bronze, which was given to the regiment by the French. The nickname "Hell Fighters" was given to them by the Germans due to their toughness and that they never lost a man through capture, lost a trench or a foot of ground to the enemy. The "Harlem Hellfighters" were the first all-black regiment who helped change the American public's opinion on African American soldiers and paved the way for future black soldiers.
On 5 October 1917 long time secretary to Booker T. Washington, Emmett J. Scott was appointed Special Assistant to Newton D. Baker, the Secretary of War. Emmett was to serve as a confidential advisor in situations that involved the well-being of ten million African-Americans and their roles in the war. While many African Americans who served in the Great War believed that, upon returning home racial discrimination would dissipate, that did not happen. Racial hatred after World War I was probably at its worst until the start of the Second World War. So with this American discrimination of African American soldiers, these troops were often sent to Europe where they were used to fill vacancies in the French Armies. Unlike the British, the French held high opinions of black soldiers which made for a more positive environment when working together. Ironically this made African American troops more passionate about fighting for America. This newly created patriotism by African Americans then led to the creation of the 369th Infantry Regiment.
...
Wikipedia