Harlem hellfighters

                                          HARLEM HELLFIGHTER      

                                                                 SEAN MARBELL

The Harlem hellfighters were one of the greatest African American regiments in both World War One and World War Two. They were know for there many nicknames, such as "men of bronze" and for there great band that was very affective at providing morale. The nickname "hell fighters" was given to them because they never lost a soilder through capture, they never lost a trench, and they never gave a foot of ground to the enemy. They made up less then one percent of the U.S army but was responsible for over twenty percent of territory captured (should have sent these guys to japan after Pearl Harbor).

this is the legacy left behind by the Harlem Hell Fighters

 

In 1933 the 369th regiment armory was created to honor the 369th regiment for their service. This armory stands at 142nd and fifth avenue, in the heart of Harlem. This armory was constructed starting in the 1920s and was completed in the 1930s. The 369th armory was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.


A section of the Harlem River Drive in New York City is named for the 369th Infantry Regiment.

The filker Michael Longcor is the composer and recorder of the song "The Ballad of Esau's Sons"  which describes the 369th's exploits during World War I without explicitly naming the unit.

these are some noteworthy soldiers

• Benjamin O. Davis Sr., Regimental Commander of the 369th Regiment (1938)and first African-American general (1941) in the US Armed Forces.

• James Reese Europe, an early ragtime and jazz bandleader and composer, who served as regimental bandmaster as part of the Harlem Hellfighters who led the first Americans into France, then into Germany after the Armistice. Also established the first African-American musicians union the Clef Club.

• Hamilton Fish III, Company Commander in the 369th Regiment, New York Congressman, and Founder of the Order of Lafayette.

• Henry Lincoln Johnson, winner of the Croix de Guerre-posthumously awarded the DSC and Purple Heart.

• Rafael Hernández Marín, considered to be the greatest composer of Puerto Rican music.

• Myles A. Paige, the first African American to serve as a City Magistrate in New York City, appointed by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia in 1936.

• Spotswood Poles, referred to as "the black Ty Cobb" for his prowess in the professional african american baseball leagues in the early 20th century.

• Needham Roberts, winner of the Croix de Guerre and Purple Heart.

• Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, tap dancer and actor

• Noble Sissle, American jazz composer, lyricist, bandleader, singer and playwright, who assisted James Reese Europe in forming the regimental band.

• Vertner Woodson Tandy, who was the first African-American to pass the military commissioning examination and was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the 15th Infantry Regiment of the New York Guard. Tandy was also one of the founders, or "Seven Jewels," of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.

Harlem Hell Fighter's insignia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlem_Hellfighters

http://forloveofliberty.org/overview/Harlem_Hellfighters.html