Issued by
United States Army, American, founded 1775
Date
1942-1946
Medium
metal and ribbon
Dimensions
H x W: 3/8 x 1 3/8 x 5/16 in. (1 x 3.5 x 0.8 cm)
Caption
Due to racial tension within the US Army, the 369th Infantry Regiment was assigned to the French Army for the duration of US involvement in World War I. Formed from the 15th New York National Guard Regiment and nicknamed the "Harlem Hellfighters," the 369th was the first African American regiment to reach the battlefields of World War I and the first Allied troops 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. In appreciation for their actions in the Maison-en-Champagne campaign, the 369th was awarded the Croix de Guerre 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
An Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal. The ribbon is yellow with a central stripe of blue, white and red. Between the center and the edges is a stripe of white, red, and white. The back has a safety pin clasp.
Place made
United States, North and Central America
Classification
Awards, Medals, and Insignia
Type
ribbon bars
Topic
Military
World War II
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Gina R. McVey, Granddaughter
Object number
2011.108.5
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd56cb6818c-7363-40d5-87b8-76196f2af0d8

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

Share this page