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The Soldiers of the 369Th Infantry HONORING Regiment, the Harlem

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The Soldiers of the 369Th Infantry HONORING Regiment, the Harlem Senate Resolution No. 3049 BY: Senator GAUGHRAN HONORING the soldiers of the 369th Infantry Regiment, the Harlem Hellfighters, for their courage, bravery, service and dedication to the United States Army during both World War I and World War II WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and commend events which evoke the historical, social and cultural development of this great State, and to pay tribute to the memory of individuals of remarkable courage and strength of character, whose purposeful lives embodied the spirit of the principles upon which this Nation was founded; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the soldiers of the 369th Infantry Regiment, the Harlem Hellfighters; a special tribute was held on Saturday, November 16, 2019, at the North Shore Historical Museum, Glen Cove, New York, in honor of their courage, bravery, service and dedication to the United States Army during World War I and World War II; and WHEREAS, The 369th Infantry Regiment, formerly known as the 15th New York National Guard Regiment and commonly referred to as the Harlem Hellfighters, was an infantry regiment of the New York Army National Guard during World War I and World War II; and WHEREAS, The Harlem Hellfighters spent more time in combat than any other American unit; over 40 of these brave men were from the Glen Cove area; three of the African American members of the unit, Sergeant Richard Fowler, Sergeant Jeremiah Reed, and Corporal Ernest Seaman, were awarded the Croix de Guerre, the French medal for valor, as was one of their white officers, Lieutenant Richardson Pratt; the most famous black member, Henry Johnson, was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor; and WHEREAS, When the United States officially entered World War I, in April of 1917, the American military was still segregated though African American soldiers had served and distinguished themselves in every American war since the Revolutionary War; and WHEREAS, With the United States involvement in the war, the 380,000 African American soldiers believed they had an opportunity to prove themselves to their country; and WHEREAS, The 15th New York National Guard unit was mobilized as the 369th U.S. Army Regiment, the unit patch with the rattlesnake harkens back to the Revolutionary War flag with the snake and the motto, "Don't Tread on Me," dubbing themselves, the Black Rattlers; and WHEREAS, African American soldiers were initially assigned manual labor tasks, such as loading and unloading supplies, and constructing roads and railroads; the members of the 369th Infantry Regiment protested and were later assigned to the 16th French Infantry where they were immediately placed in combat situations; the French welcomed the "men of bronze," who distinguished themselves throughout the rest of the war; and WHEREAS, The Harlem Hellfighters story is one of great determination, courage, and achievement in the face of unconscionable discrimination; despite a Welcome Home Parade in February of 1919, that was witnessed by hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers, their exploits were too soon forgotten; and WHEREAS, The valiant service and dedication of the Harlem Hellfighters helped change the American public's opinion of African American soldiers, and paved the way for future soldiers of color; and WHEREAS, Our Nation's veterans deserve to be recognized, commended and thanked by the people of the State of New York for their service and for their dedication to their communities, their State and their Nation; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor the soldiers of the 369th Infantry Regiment, the Harlem Hellfighters, for their courage, bravery, service and dedication to the United States Army during World War I and World War II; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the North Shore Historical Museum..
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