Created by
French Republic, French, founded 1792
Subject of
Cpl. McVey,, Lawrence Leslie Sr., American, 1897 - 1968
369th Infantry Regiment, American, 1913 - 1945
Date
March 2, 1928
Medium
ink on paper
Dimensions
H x W: 17 7/8 × 22 3/16 in. (45.4 × 56.4 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
Certificate for French Croix de Guerre medal issued to Corporal Lawrence L. McVey. The certificate is comprised of a central rectangle with a striped border followed by an inner illustration of a wooden frame wrapped in olive leaves on the left and oak leaves on the right. In the center top of the border, is an image of the Croix de Guerre with a helmet and ribbon above. Coming from either side of the helmet are palm and olive leaf branches. The bottom left and right of the rectangle border have a circle with text that reads, [HONNEUR] and [PATRIE]. In the center of the circles on the border, a rectangular space has the dates of World War I, [1914-1918]. The central written and printed section of the certificate is drawn to look like a piece of leather pinned to a frame. The top of the certificate reads in larger letters, [RÉPUBLIQUE / FRANÇAISE / MINISTÉRE / DE LA GUERRE. / CROIX DE GUERRE]. Below, French print and handwritten text described McVey's position and why he was awarded the medal.
Transcription Center Status
Transcription Available
Place made
France, Europe
Classification
Awards, Medals, and Insignia
Type
certificates
Topic
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
2011.108.9.2
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd566a344d9-638b-4300-a502-8b6ebbc8f342

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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