African Americans in World War I…who were they? If you’re teaching World War I, African American soldiers that made up the 369th Infantry Regiment should be included.
During World War I several all-black units served and fought in Europe. The most famous of those units was the 369th, nicknamed the Harlem Hellfighters by the Germans.
Members of the the 369th fought alongside the French and on the front lines for several months. More than 170 members of the unit received medals and citations from the French government, including the the Croix de Guerre, the French medal that is awarded to soldiers for bravery in combat.
I love reading black history and thank you for sharing it on your blog.