"Famous New York [African-American] soldiers return home. Lieutenant James Reese Europe, for years Society's favorite [African-American' dance player and leader of Europe's famous orchestra, is royally welcomed in Harlem, New York, as the 369th (old 15th New York City) regiment parades victoriously up Lenox Avenue." 1919. National Archives
The 369th Regiment of the New York National Guard was formed in June 1916 and James Europe enlisted as a private on September 18, 1916.
James R. Europe, Abstracts of Military Service c. 1919. Ancestry
"Famous [African American] regiment arrives home on the France...They are the only regiment which never had one of their men captured and never lost a foot of ground or a trench, also the only unit in the American Expeditionary Force which bore a state name and carried a state flag.", 1919. National Archives
The regiment faced severe discrimination by Americans both at home and abroad. The 15th Regiment was placed under France’s jurisdiction after white Americans refused to fight alongside them.
"A fairy tale has materialized...We are now a combat unit…. Our great American general simply put the black orphan in a basket, set it on the doorstep of the French, pulled the bell, and went away."
-Colonel William Hayward in a letter to a friend, c. 1918
August 31, 1917. The New York Times
African American recruits for the 15th New York National Guard Regiment heading to Camp Upton, New York, 1917. Library of Congress
"The new orders from the US Army on how the French should treat African Americans was a direct result of how well the Hellfighters were doing in combat. They were winning medals, getting glowing praise in Newspapers. They were proving that they deserved to be treated as equals ...Those orders were meant to remind black soldiers that they were still second class citizens and to make sure that they did not come home with any expectations of equality."
-Excerpt from personnal interview with Max Brooks, February 5, 2020
CLICK FOR MEMO ISSUED BY THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT REGARDING AFRICAN-AMERICAN TROOPS
Lieutenant Europe broke barriers by becoming the first African-American officer to lead troops into battle during WWI.
Lt. James Reese Europe, at the front in France, 1918. Library of Congress
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