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.