June 2 …

The “Harlem Hellfighters” — officially designated the 369th Infantry Regiment — hold a unique and powerful place in American military history.

Formed on June 2, 1913 as part of the New York National Guard, the unit was initially composed mostly of African American soldiers, many of whom came from Harlem — a neighborhood that would later become the heart of Black culture and pride. Despite being eager to serve their country, these men faced deep racial prejudice within the U.S. Army, which was still segregated at the time. They were often relegated to menial labor rather than combat roles, but the Hellfighters would soon prove that their courage and skill on the battlefield were second to none.

When the United States entered World War I in 1917, the 369th Infantry was among the first African American regiments to be deployed overseas. However, due to racial discrimination, they were not initially permitted to fight under the American command. Instead, the U.S. Army assigned them to the French Army, which was more accepting of Black soldiers. Equipped with French weapons, helmets, and rations, the Hellfighters entered combat alongside their French allies, determined to show the world what they could do. Their partnership with the French military became a turning point, marking the beginning of their legendary reputation.

The 369th Infantry Regiment served on the front lines for an astonishing 191 consecutive days — longer than any other American unit during the war. They fought bravely in key battles, including the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, one of the largest operations of the war. Despite enduring relentless shellfire, gas attacks, and brutal conditions, they never lost a single foot of ground to the enemy nor allowed any of their men to be captured. Their resilience and discipline earned them immense respect from the French and admiration from fellow Allied forces. The French government awarded many of them the Croix de Guerre, one of France’s highest military honors.

Among the Hellfighters’ most celebrated heroes were Private William H. Johnson and Private Needham Roberts, who displayed extraordinary bravery during a German raid in 1918. Despite being heavily outnumbered and wounded, Johnson fought off a German patrol using only his rifle and a bolo knife, saving his comrade and preventing their capture. His actions earned him the nickname “Black Death” from the Germans and the French Croix de Guerre with Palm. Decades later, in 2015, the U.S. government posthumously awarded William H. Johnson the Medal of Honor, finally recognizing his heroic service that had been overlooked due to racial prejudice.

The Hellfighters were not only soldiers, but also cultural ambassadors. Their regimental band, led by the renowned musician James Reese Europe, introduced jazz to European audiences, forever changing the musical landscape of the continent. Noble Sissle, who later became first elected president of the Negro Actors Guild of America, served as a member of the Harlem Hellfighters’ band.

Their performances during the war and afterward helped spread African American music across France and beyond, influencing the global rise of jazz as a defining art form of the 20th century. In this way, the Hellfighters contributed not just to military victory, but to a cultural revolution that bridged continents and reshaped popular culture.

When the Hellfighters returned home to New York in 1919, they were celebrated with a grand parade up Fifth Avenue. During this era of segregation and racial violence, that was a rare public acknowledgment of Black heroism.

Thousands lined the streets to cheer the regiment that had brought honor to the United States and pride to the African American community. Yet, even after their remarkable service, the soldiers faced the same systemic racism they had left behind. Their heroism abroad stood in stark contrast to the discrimination they endured at home, highlighting the deep contradictions of American democracy during that time.

Despite these injustices, the legacy of the 369th Infantry Regiment endures as a symbol of courage, patriotism, and perseverance in the face of inequality. They broke barriers, redefined what it meant to serve one’s country, and laid the groundwork for future generations of Black soldiers in the U.S. military.

Their story remains a powerful reminder that patriotism is not measured by how one is treated, but by how one responds to adversity. The Harlem Hellfighters proved through their actions that valor knows no color — and their contributions continue to inspire the ongoing fight for equality and recognition in American history.

About The Photo: In the photo above, the Harlem Hellfighters, part of the 15th Regiment Infantry New York National Guard organized by Colonel Haywood, are decorated with the French Croix de Guerre. It is noted that the men have taken to the French helment, instead of the flatter and broader British style.