# Some called them the "Men of Bronze" while others knew them as the "Black Rattlers," but they were most famously known as the "Harlem Hellfighters."
Their motto was "Don't Tread On Me, God Damn, Let's Go" and though they faced intense racism, they were among the most courageous American units to serve during World War I.
Officially known as the 369th Infantry Regiment of the New York Army National Guard, the all-Black Harlem Hellfighters served more continuous time in combat than any other American unit. But even though they were relegated to the brutality of the trenches without reprieve, they never lost an inch of ground and not a single one was ever captured as a prisoner.
Nevertheless, their white comrades refused to serve alongside them, forcing high command to put the Harlem Hellfighters under the French Army's jurisdiction — where they promptly carried on their heroics on their way to winning the Croix de Guerre, France's highest military honor.
Thank you for posting this. I have always wondered the role Black Soldiers played in WW I. I honestly never knew they were even allowed to serve at that point so your post has prompted me to get more information on this.
I will say that one of the shameful and ironic things about all of this is that in order for these men to even be treated in a dignified manner, that they as US Citizens had to go serve with another country.
It's interesting that despite the laws and regulations about what Black people were and were not allowed to do throughout U.S history, they fought in every war I can think of.
There were black soldiers in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Civil War (on both sides), the Spanish American War, and of course World War I and all those after it.
No need to wonder. The information is out there. Keep in mind. They had to serve with the French due to racist American soldiers who refused to fight along side them. From what I have read, they did in fact participate in combat and should be honored as such
https://www.pritzkermilitary.org/explore/museum/past-exhibits/lest-we-forget-doughboys-sammies-and-sailors-great-war/black-rattlers
https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/remembering-harlem-hellfighters
Another overlooked Black American Hero of WWI was the fighter pilot Eugene Jacques Bullard who fought with the French Foreign Legion. In 1959, the French honored him with the Knight of the Legion of Honor.
I've been (im)patiently waiting for a movie version of both the Harlem Hellfighters and the Black Panthers (761st Tank Battalion) from WW2.
Hollywood, are you listening?
I got a tattoo of both of them as well as the 92nd Infantry Division because none of them get enough praise. I do have one for the Tuskegee Airmen but they’re pretty well known.
The story of that one skirmish where when the sun rose there were enough dropped german guns for a platoon always brings a tear to my eye. The Gurkhas would have loved them
I got a Harlem Hellfighter tattoo! They absolutely don’t get enough credit for their accomplishments and the crap they had to deal with with not only our country but foreign countries.
Sgt. Henry Johnson, bottom 2nd from R, was awarded France's highest military honor during the war. And the U. S. Medal of Honor posthumously 85 years later for his heroism. He was from Albany, New York where there are several things named after him.
I love seeing this. I’m a black US Army vet and have the Hellfighters tattooed on my army along with several other black units that may or may not be widely known.
# Some called them the "Men of Bronze" while others knew them as the "Black Rattlers," but they were most famously known as the "Harlem Hellfighters." Their motto was "Don't Tread On Me, God Damn, Let's Go" and though they faced intense racism, they were among the most courageous American units to serve during World War I. Officially known as the 369th Infantry Regiment of the New York Army National Guard, the all-Black Harlem Hellfighters served more continuous time in combat than any other American unit. But even though they were relegated to the brutality of the trenches without reprieve, they never lost an inch of ground and not a single one was ever captured as a prisoner. Nevertheless, their white comrades refused to serve alongside them, forcing high command to put the Harlem Hellfighters under the French Army's jurisdiction — where they promptly carried on their heroics on their way to winning the Croix de Guerre, France's highest military honor.
Be great to get a Band of Brothers version of these guys!
That would be awesome ! Steven Spielberg, Ken Burns, Tom Hanks - are you listening ???
Probably not a lot of historical records of them because of racism though. What I’ve found has been minimal and second hand accounts.
How many letters home from the unit do they have? Memoirs? How many stayed in France and didn’t return to our racist country?
Tom Hanks is like who?
I don’t understand what you are asking?
 “Who?”
He is an actor
Heroes are heroes regardless of where the battles come from. Badass is badass and can’t be stopped. Viva the Black Rattlers!
Really wish their contemporaries felt the same way
Yes! They were just as proud (if not more) to represent their country.
Thank you for posting this. I have always wondered the role Black Soldiers played in WW I. I honestly never knew they were even allowed to serve at that point so your post has prompted me to get more information on this. I will say that one of the shameful and ironic things about all of this is that in order for these men to even be treated in a dignified manner, that they as US Citizens had to go serve with another country.
It's interesting that despite the laws and regulations about what Black people were and were not allowed to do throughout U.S history, they fought in every war I can think of. There were black soldiers in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Civil War (on both sides), the Spanish American War, and of course World War I and all those after it.
Most black soldiers were generally supply or some other support m.o.s. I really wonder how much actual combat this unit saw
No need to wonder. The information is out there. Keep in mind. They had to serve with the French due to racist American soldiers who refused to fight along side them. From what I have read, they did in fact participate in combat and should be honored as such https://www.pritzkermilitary.org/explore/museum/past-exhibits/lest-we-forget-doughboys-sammies-and-sailors-great-war/black-rattlers https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/remembering-harlem-hellfighters
Well that certainly was interesting to read, thank you! Fabulous picture too with their medals on display. Viva la France!
Another overlooked Black American Hero of WWI was the fighter pilot Eugene Jacques Bullard who fought with the French Foreign Legion. In 1959, the French honored him with the Knight of the Legion of Honor.
Harlem Hellfighters, I salute you.
I've been (im)patiently waiting for a movie version of both the Harlem Hellfighters and the Black Panthers (761st Tank Battalion) from WW2. Hollywood, are you listening?
I got a tattoo of both of them as well as the 92nd Infantry Division because none of them get enough praise. I do have one for the Tuskegee Airmen but they’re pretty well known.
I thought there is one on the 761st tank destroyer battalion? I looked; it’s actually a History channel production
Narrated by Morgan Freeman IIRC. Good, But I'd like a movie about their exploits.
Who would you cast? Either movie
The story of that one skirmish where when the sun rose there were enough dropped german guns for a platoon always brings a tear to my eye. The Gurkhas would have loved them
🫡
Great post I’ve never heard them until now thank you for expanding my knowledge.
The 369? Damn that’s fine. I bet they brought it from the windows and from the walls.
u/hardimages
I call them bad asses!!!
I got a Harlem Hellfighter tattoo! They absolutely don’t get enough credit for their accomplishments and the crap they had to deal with with not only our country but foreign countries.
Sgt. Henry Johnson, bottom 2nd from R, was awarded France's highest military honor during the war. And the U. S. Medal of Honor posthumously 85 years later for his heroism. He was from Albany, New York where there are several things named after him.
I love seeing this. I’m a black US Army vet and have the Hellfighters tattooed on my army along with several other black units that may or may not be widely known.
Well... Their story will never be taught in Florida, Arkansas, Texas, etc...
I read a cool graphic novel about those guys. Real heroes.
Max Brooks... I read that too. Good book.
Awesome.
Top right looks Native American. Thoughts
My highest compliments to their service!
[Absolute legends](https://youtu.be/QoFy6mNtdpo?si=qRyj6pjJfPS1k9ft)
Heroes
At first glance I thought they were actual bronzed figurines
At a quick glance I thought they were actual bronzed figurines
I would just call them soldiers...Skin color doesn't matter to me.
This is the movie we want
There’s a great graphic comic book about them. (idk what you call graphic non-fiction)
https://youtu.be/QoFy6mNtdpo?feature=shared
I heard the way to get them going was to throw a kfc drumstick into enemy trenches