What would you do if you were in a war trench watching your connreads dying of gunfire and sickness during World War I would you give up on the idea of living or would you fight for your life your friends and your family The Army s 369th Infantry better known as the Harlem Hellfighters were one of the fiercest regiments in the Army during World War I This all black regiment was one of only a few that saw combat because most were discriminated against and not trusted to fight Their valiant effort helped many people realize that racism is wrong The regiment also had one of the best military bands in history making an impact on European culture World war I was fought from 1914 to 1919 The U S didn't join until 1917 when U S ships were being attacked by German submarines According to War History Online when citizens were volunteering for the Army African American people were told to tear off the corner of the application so that they could be identified and separated from their white counterparts According to The Harlem Hellfighters Fighting Racism in the Trenches the Harlem Hellfighters fought 191 consecutive days under enemy fire in France including the Battle of Belleau Wood This was the longest time on the front lines of any group of American soldiers in World War I The Harlem Hellfighters got their name from German soldiers who were afraid of how ruthlessly they fought
