369th U.S. Infantry Regiment

15th New York National Guard Regiment 369th Infantry Regiment
Coat of arms
Founded	2 June, 1913
Disbanded	3 February, 1946
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army French Army (attached during WWI)
Type	Infantry
Size	Regiment
Nickname(s)	"Hell-fighters,Men Of Bronze, Black Rattlers"
Motto(s)	"Don't Tread On Me, God Damn, Lets Go"
Engagements	World War I Champagne–Marne Meuse–Argonne World War II New Guinea Bismarck Archipelago
Commanders
Notable commanders	Benjamin O. Davis, Sr.
Insignia
DUI

World War I

World War II

The 369th Infantry Regiment, formerly known as the 15th New York National Guard Regiment, was an infantry regiment of the New York 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 NG 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 Black Rattlers. The nickname Men of Bronze was given to the regiment by the French and Hell-fighters was given to them by the Germans. During WWI, the 369th spent 191 days in front line trenches, more than any other American unit. They also suffered the most losses of any American regiment with 1,500 casualties.

On the 5th of October 1917 Emmett J. Scott, long time secretary to Booker T. Washington, was appointed Special Assistant to Newton D. Baker, the Secretary of War. Scott 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 racial discrimination would dissipate once they returned home, that did not happen. Racism after World War I was probably at its worst until the start of World War II. So with this white 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 the U.S. This newly created patriotism by African Americans then led to the creation of the 369th Infantry Regiment.