Former Detective, Jubelin, Guilty of Illegal Recording

WWI Infantry Harlem Hellfighters

The Harlem Hellfighters, a colored infantry regiment unit in WWI, were an all African American combat unit.  The Hellfighters originated out of Harlem New York City, an African American community.  They fought in combat more than any other American unit.  Their heroic World War I service is still being recognized long after the war had ended, more than a century ago.

New York Harlem’s district had recommended originating a military unit, but it was blocked several times, by the white politicians.  The New York State legislature passed a bill on June 2, 1913 and signed into law by Governor William Sulzer, authorizing African Americans to participate in the U.S. army as an African American National Guard unit, the 15^th Infantry regiment.  However, it did not come into actuality until June, 1916, when a white commanding officer was appointed over them.

When WWI started the United States government had set up the Harlem Hellfighters to fail, by humiliating and degrading them.  The U.S. army gave them away to the French army as a throwaway.  It was very difficult for the African Americans at that time to get in the military because they had been perceived as being weak in battle and they will not do well. They had to overcome the prejudice and racial slurs coming from their own countrymen. This was very stressful to them.  They had been trained and were ready to fight. 

Because of the Jim Crow laws, the U.S. Military did not spare the blacks from any racism or inhumane treatment; they were separated from whites, who did not want to fight alongside of them.  The Marines would not enlist any blacks and the Navy only enlisted very few.

The Harlem Hellfighters left for Europe for WWI, April 6, 1917, with about 200,000 African Americans, fighting on the front line.  They were no longer 15^th infantry; they had now become the 369^th Infantry Regiment.  The 369^th Infantry Regiment was called to battle.  Henry Johnson, a black sergeant, over the 369^th Infantry, joined with the French army unit in the front-line combat fighting against the Germans.  This gave them a chance to show the world how skilled they were as fighters.

While on watch one night, in the Argonne Forest, Sergeant Henry Johnson and Private Robert Needham were attacked by a raid of German soldiers. Needham was shot and left incapacitated early and Johnson fought the attackers himself single-handedly with a gun and knife. He shot a German in the chest and took his rifle to club another soldier.  Two German soldiers tried to take his comrade Private Needham Roberts but Johnson took his knife and drove it into one of the soldier’s skull. Johnson was shot in the shoulder and thigh. Johnson took his knife and slashed him down.  Johnson fought until the Germans were chased away. Johnson ended up with 21 wounds.

Sgt. Johnson survived and the 369^th Harlem Hellfighters proved themselves as great fighting soldiers and won the war against the Germans. They were the most successful army units, black or white in the U.S. army.  Sergeant Henry Johnson was the first American, black or white; to receive the highest honor French medal the Croix de Gurre. Later Johnson received the Medal of Honor from the United States, and the Distinguished Service Cross. 

After the war, the newspapers reported the Harlem Hellfighters heroic efforts and bravery in combat.  Their heroic deeds earned them international fame and in the U.S.  When the Hellfighters returned home to a massive parade party with at least 5 million spectators welcomed them.  Even the New Yorkers with racist’s backgrounds, walked along side of them in the parade cheering them on.