Harlem Hellcats

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The US 369th Infantry was a US Military unit that consisted of all African American and Latino troops that fought in World War I. Otherwise known as the Harlem Hellcats, the 369th spent more consecutive in combat than any other US unit in the conflict.

The 369th had formerly been known as the 15th New York National Guard, and were assigned to duty with the French fourth Army in World War I. They were issued and carried the French Berthier Lebel 1907-15 rifle as their main weapon. Once in France, they trained with French forces and saw action at Bois d' Hauya, where they held an entire sector from German attack for two months. holding for two months an entire sector against German fire. They also served at Minacaurt, Maison en Champagne, Meuse-Argone, Butte de Nesil, the Dormois, Sechault, Argonne Forest, Repont, Kuponase, Voges Mountains, the Aisne, the Turbe, Fountain and Bellevue Ridge and the Somme, and earned the nickname "Hellfighers" from their German opponents.