Harlem Hellfighters Quotes

They used to call it the 'Great War'. But I'll be damned if I could tell you what was so 'great' about it. They also called it 'the war to end all wars'...'cause they figured it was so big and awful that the world'd just have to come to its senses and make damn sure we never fought another one ever again. That woulda been a helluva nice story. But the truth's got an ugly way of killin' nice stories.

Black soldiers found themselves in a dilemma. On the one hand they were being trained to risk their lives in defense of the country, while on the other hand they were being told to accept their role as inferior citizens.

Many of the other white military units on the base defended the black soldiers, refusing to join in with the local racists. Northern white soldiers often refused to patronize white stores that refused to serve black soldiers.

On December 27 land was sighted. They had reached France. The men were confined to the ship until New Year’s Day but were happy to be the first black unit to reach Europe.

awarded the French War Cross for their gallantry under fire. The newspaper suggested that the “Germans will have to find as apt a name for the American Negro fighters as they have given to the Scots,” who were nicknamed the “Laddies from Hell.” Soon the Germans did come up with a name. The U.S. regiment would be known forever after as the “Harlem Hellfighters.” At the war’s end, France would award the entire unit the Croix de Guerre.

In Pottsville, Pennsylvania, the local newspaper proudly reported the fact that two hometown heroes from the 369th had been awarded the French War Cross for their gallantry under fire. The newspaper suggested that the “Germans will have to find as apt a name for the American Negro fighters as they have given to the Scots,” who were nicknamed the “Laddies from Hell.” Soon the Germans did come up with a name. The U.S. regiment would be known forever after as the “Harlem Hellfighters.” At the war’s end, France would award the entire unit the Croix de Guerre.

My brother did a report in school on the Harlem Hellfighters.” “He must have attended a Negro school.” “He did. For months, everything he talked about and did was related to your unit.” Catau still had the unit’s insignia framed on his bedroom wall. Grant released a grunt. “He was so proud of you all. We all were. Are,” she corrected. And she knew he knew that when she said ‘we’ she meant all of colored America and not just her family. Behold the weight and glory of being a Negro in America. There was no such thing as being singular. You carried every colored man or woman’s pain and shame. But you also wallowed in their success.