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The Harlem Hellfighters

Becoming an Author


   For my American literature class, I have to write a short-story. I've decided to write based on the Harlem Hellfighters. They were officially known as the 369th infantry in WWI. An entire infantry of African-Americans. Americans at the time showed hatred toward them, to the point of giving them to France because they refused to fight alongside blacks. In France, they were treated like any other regiment, also keeping their uniforms besides their new French helmets.

   The Hellfighters were one of the most impressive people on the battlefield. Pvt. Needham Roberts heard a German patrol entering his designated area by cutting barbed wire. He accidentally loaded a French magazine into his American gun, jamming it. He then fought off the patrol using the rifle as a club and a bolo knife,killing at least four and wounding about 20 more. Roberts was the first American awarded the Croix de Guerre. He wasn't given the Medal of Honor until 2015, due to the heavy racism of the time period.

   This is just one of many. These men fought for a country who only showed them hate. Some came home to nothing and died penniless. I find these men to be really awesome.

Comments

  1. "These men fought for a country who only showed them hate." That is such a powerful statement. They fought so hard even though they did not receive the honor they deserved for their fearless acts. Wow!

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  2. This was such an interesting post. Thank you for sharing.

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  3. I now realize I forgot to include the second man awarded the Croix de Guerre, Private Henry Johnson. It is believed he assisted in the defense against the German patrol. Both men were very wounded, but together managed to win a fight of two men against thirty.

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