'Harlem Hellfighters' - 369th Infantry Regiment honored with Congressional Gold Medal at U.S. Capitol

[JustAnotherGen]

The Congressional Act of Recognition happened during the Biden Admin (2021).

The all-Black Harlem Hellfighters were known for their unmatched courage. They served 191 days in continuous combat, more than any other American unit.

When they came home, they were largely forgotten.

"And it's not a pleasant story. Many of them died in poverty, had medical issues, were not granted medical services by the military, came home to very Jim Crow and segregationist, and many of them died in poverty," said Lt. Col. (Ret.) Francis Kairson, Jr., a former commander with the 369th Regiment.

In Washington, the Harlem Hellfighters were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. Families of the famed Hellfighters were there to accept the tribute.

Because of White Supremacy in the USA - they were placed with French Forces.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/369th-infantry-regiment-the-harlem-hellfighters-receive-congressional-gold-medal-for-wwi-heroism/ar-AA1LPbGc?ocid=socialshare

[BaronChocula]

1. I wish my history buff parents were alive to see it

I remember when the Tuskegee Airmen received their Congressional Gold Medal in 2007. Democrats had given what W called a "thumping" in the midterms three months earlier. Nancy Pelosi was House speaker and Harry Reid was majority leader in the Senate (boy, those were the days). Tradition allowed minority leaders Boehner (House) and McConnell (Senate) to make addresses. In Boehner's case it seemed like he was forced as he read off what looked like index cards nearly phonetically. In his blithering, he kept mispronouncing "Tuskegee" as if he had never heard the word.

His mish-mash was followed by McConnell who at least knew how to speak. He opened his statement with something like "Ladies, gentlemen, distinguished TUSKEGEE Airmen" being sure to emphasize the correct pronunciation. And a cheer went up from the seated guest.

I know there must have been a video of it on YouTube, but it seems to have been disappeared or perhaps "whitewashed?"

[JustAnotherGen]

2. Me too

My dad was the rebel in his family . . . he went to Tuskeegee when all of the other men went to Morehouse. He was a highly decorated special forces officer. I grew up with the 'glory of the military' and learning about these men who had served when it was dangerous for them to vote (my dad couldn't without fear for his life in Alabama).

My dad would be tickled pink to hear these guys were honored!

[BaronChocula]

3. My BIL's father was a Tuskegee Airmen

and career air force. When Vietnam heated up my brother-in-law chose to go to Canada with his father's blessing. the Colonel was an American warrior, but he was also Black.

[JustAnotherGen]

4. When Desert Storm

Last edited Thu Sep 4, 2025, 03:53 PM - Edit history (1)

Started - my dad was looking to move my brother to Canada or Brazil. No joke.

He promised my mom's dad that his grandson would never go through what he (WW2) or my dad (Korea and Vietnam) went through in combat.

My dad's family only served from WW1 on.

My mom's family fought in the French/Indian war. . . been here that long. My mom's dad thought America was terribly racist - and that other people needed to step up and fight in my brother's place. We'd left enough blood in the forest, jungles, and beaches. He had one daughter, and two grandchildren. His grandson should not have had to fight for a country that couldn't see fit to respect his son in law (who he adored. To military peas in a pod).

Grampa was NO joke. He was GOOD one.

[BaronChocula]

5. Wow!

Impressive family history. I use the fact that African Americans have fought in every war in American history (from colonial era on) to shut up conservative acquaintances when they try to lecture Blacks on how to be American. It definitely came up during the NFL national anthem protests.

[JustAnotherGen]

6. Love this!

We have a monument to a Black Revolutionary war hero in my tiny borough in NJ.