Created by
United States Department of War, American, 1789 - 1947
Received by
Cpl. McVey,, Lawrence Leslie Sr., American, 1897 - 1968
Subject of
369th Infantry Regiment, American, 1913 - 1945
Date
May 16, 1919
Medium
ink on paper with plaster
Dimensions
H x W: 10 1/2 x 8 in. (26.7 x 20.3 cm)
Caption
The 369th United States Infantry, nicknamed the “Harlem Hellfighters,” was the first African American regiment of troops to reach the battlefields of World War I. The 369th Regiment was formed from the 15th New York National Guard Regiment and was recognized as part of the U.S. Army on July 15th, 1917. The regiment arrived in Brest, France on January 1st, 1918, being the first African American U.S. soldiers to arrive in France and initially assigned to dam building and stevedores in charge of loading and unloading cargo. The 369th Regiment, due to racial tension within the US Army was assigned to the French Army for the duration of US involvement in WWI. The 369th were the first Allied troops of the war to reach the banks of the Rhine. Upon completion of the 369th’s service in the war, the regiment had spent 191 days in combat, the longest of any American regiment. The entire 369th Regiment, in appreciation for their actions in the Maison-en-Champagne campaign, was given the Croix de Guerre, a medal awarded by the French Government for acts of bravery in conflicts against the enemy. In addition to this honor, 171 individual members of the 369th Regiment were awarded the Croix de Guerre and the Legion of Honor. The 369th Regiment finished their service in Europe and returned to the US in February 1919.
Description
A letter from the Adjutant General to Lawrence McVey announcing the enclosure of a French Croix de Guerre medal with bronze star, citation, and certificate, and asking for a receipt. The document is mounted to sheets of adhesive cloth on the reverse that have the label, [POROUS PLASTER / Manufactured for / LOEWENSTEIN'S PHARMACY].
Transcription Center Status
Transcription Available
Place made
Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Documents and Published Materials
Type
correspondence
Topic
Correspondence
Military
World War I
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Gina R. McVey, Granddaughter
Object number
2011.108.24
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5bed2f01b-a4da-4781-9b57-082052bba641

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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