The Harlem Hellfighters | History

Summary

The Harlem Hell Fighters, a regiment of the New York National Guard, faced prejudice and were initially relegated to labor duties in WWI. Despite being given to the French as a 'throwaway' unit, they emerged as one of the most decorated US Army units, challenging racial stereotypes. Notable hero Henry Johnson's bravery earned him French honors but was unrecognized by the US for decades. The regiment's story highlights the paradox of fighting for democracy abroad while facing inequality at home, emphasizing their fight for citizenship rights.

Takeaways

• 🇺🇸 The Harlem Hell Fighters were a regiment of New York National Guardsmen who served in World War I and became one of the most decorated units in the US Army despite facing significant adversity.
• 🏆 They were initially set up to fail and humiliated by their own government, but their perseverance and bravery led to them being highly decorated, showcasing the power of black soldiers in the military.
• 🚫 African-Americans faced prejudice and were initially barred from combat roles, being relegated to labor and support duties, reflecting the racial biases of the time.
• 🇫🇷 The regiment was eventually given to the French army, which was seen as an insult, but they proved their mettle and fought alongside French forces, earning their respect.
• 👊 The story of Henry Johnson highlights individual acts of heroism, where despite being wounded, he fought off a German raid single-handedly, demonstrating exceptional courage.
• 🏅 Johnson was awarded the French Croix de Guerre for his bravery, but it took the US government 75 years to recognize his heroism with the Legion of Merit, reflecting racial disparities in recognition.
• 🔍 The US government's memorandum to the French government after their service is a stark reminder of the Jim Crow era, showing an attempt to maintain racial inequality even after their heroic service.
• 💔 The lack of recognition and support for Johnson's injuries upon his return to the US is a poignant example of the neglect faced by these soldiers, leading to his untimely death in poverty.
• 🌟 The Harlem Hell Fighters' story is one of valor and courage, but also of the paradoxical treatment of heroes who fought for democracy abroad while facing inequality at home.
• 🗽 For the Harlem Hell Fighters, fighting in World War I was not just about the war itself; it was about fighting for their rights as citizens in the country they were born in.
• 📚 The story of the Harlem Hell Fighters is an important but often overlooked part of American history, highlighting the struggle for racial equality and the fight for recognition of black soldiers' contributions.

Q & A

Who were the Harlem Hell Fighters?

The Harlem Hell Fighters were a regiment of New York National Guardsmen who served in the first World War. They were initially set up to fail by their own government but ended up as one of the most decorated units in the entire U.S. Army.

Why were the Harlem Hell Fighters given to the French army?

The Harlem Hell Fighters were given to the French army as a result of the prejudice and humiliation they faced from their own government, which viewed them as a 'throwaway' unit.

What challenges did African-American soldiers face in joining the U.S. military during World War I?

African-American soldiers faced the challenge of prejudice, with a prevailing perception that they would not perform well in battle, and they had to overcome this bias to serve in the military.

What was the initial role assigned to the Harlem Hell Fighters in the military?

Initially, the Harlem Hell Fighters were assigned to labor duty, unloading ships, building latrines, and providing support services, despite their training and readiness to fight.

Who was Henry Johnson and why is he significant?

Henry Johnson was a remarkable black military hero in U.S. history. He defended a listening post against a German raid with Private NM Roberts, fighting off as many as 30 enemy soldiers, and was awarded the French Croix de Guerre for his bravery.

Why did it take the U.S. government 75 years to award Henry Johnson the Legion of Merit?

It took 75 years for the U.S. government to award Henry Johnson the Legion of Merit due to racial discrimination. Had he been white, he likely would have received the Medal of Honor immediately after the war.

What was the paradox faced by the Harlem Hell Fighters upon their return to the United States?

The paradox faced by the Harlem Hell Fighters was that despite their valor and courage in combat, they returned to a nation that did not honor their sacrifice, with no recognition for their injuries and no assistance from the government.

What was the U.S. government's stance on the Harlem Hell Fighters' recognition after their service?

The U.S. government sent a memorandum to the French government after the war, essentially implementing Jim Crow laws, instructing not to give the Harlem Hell Fighters the notion that they were equals, fearing they might demand equality upon their return.

How did the Harlem Hell Fighters' service in World War I impact their fight for civil rights?

The Harlem Hell Fighters' service was about being Americans and serving their country well, which had concrete implications for their fight for civil rights. They were fighting not just for the war but also for the rights to be citizens in the country they were born in.

What was the significance of democracy for African-American soldiers like the Harlem Hell Fighters in 1917?

For African-American soldiers like the Harlem Hell Fighters in 1917, democracy was not just an abstract concept but a weapon and armor, as they fought for a world safe for democracy and, by extension, for their own rights and equality as citizens.

Outlines

00:00

🏆 Triumph Over Adversity: Harlem Hell Fighters' Legacy

The Harlem Hell Fighters were a regiment of the New York National Guard during World War I, initially set up to fail by their own government. Despite humiliation and degradation, they were given to the French army and eventually returned as one of the most decorated units in the U.S. Army. They played a crucial role in proving the capabilities of black soldiers, overcoming prejudice to perform exceptionally on the battlefield. Initially tasked with menial labor duties, they were later recognized for their combat skills. The story of Henry Johnson, a remarkable black military hero, exemplifies their bravery. He fought off a German raid single-handedly, earning the French Croix de Guerre, but it took the U.S. government 75 years to award him the Legion of Merit. The Harlem Hell Fighters' story is a testament to valor and courage, yet they returned to a nation that did not fully honor their sacrifices, reflecting a paradox of unrecognized heroism.

05:03

🗽 Fighting for Democracy and Equality: The Harlem Hell Fighters' Struggle

For the Harlem Hell Fighters, fighting in World War I was not just about a lofty ideal of making the world safe for democracy; it was a tangible fight for their rights as citizens. In 1917, they saw their participation in the war as an armor and a weapon to secure their place and rights in the country of their birth. Their struggle was not only against external enemies but also against the internal struggle for racial equality and recognition within their own nation. Despite the valorous efforts and the concrete results of their fight, they faced a return to a society that still had to grapple with the implications of true equality and the honoring of their sacrifices.

Keywords

💡Harlem Hell Fighters

The Harlem Hell Fighters were a regiment of the New York National Guard that served in World War I. They were initially set up to fail by their own government and faced humiliation and degradation. Despite these challenges, they became one of the most decorated units in the entire U.S. Army. The term is central to the video's theme, illustrating the resilience and valor of this African-American military unit in the face of prejudice and adversity.

💡World War I

World War I, also known as the Great War, was a global war that lasted from 1914 to 1918. The video discusses the role of the Harlem Hell Fighters in this war, emphasizing their significant contribution to the U.S. military effort. The war serves as the historical backdrop against which the Harlem Hell Fighters' story unfolds, highlighting their importance in American military history.

💡African-American soldiers

African-American soldiers refers to the black servicemen in the U.S. military. The video script discusses the prejudice and challenges faced by these soldiers, particularly during World War I. It highlights the perception that African-Americans would not perform well in battle and the need for them to overcome this prejudice, which is a key theme in the video.

💡Prejudice

Prejudice in the script refers to the preconceived and often negative opinions or discrimination against African-American soldiers. It is a central concept in the video, as it outlines the societal and institutional biases that the Harlem Hell Fighters had to overcome to prove their worth and capability on the battlefield.

💡French army

The French army is mentioned in the script as the force to which the Harlem Hell Fighters were eventually assigned. This was seen as an insult, as it went against the principle that American forces should fight independently under their own flag. The French army's involvement is a critical part of the narrative, showing the Hell Fighters' path to recognition and success.

💡Henry Johnson

Henry Johnson was an African-American soldier who is highlighted in the script as a remarkable military hero. He is known for his bravery in defending a listening post against a German raid, despite being wounded. Johnson's story exemplifies the courage and sacrifice of African-American soldiers and is a key example in the video's narrative of the Hell Fighters' valor.

💡Jim Crow

Jim Crow refers to the laws and social norms that enforced racial segregation in the United States, particularly in the South. The script mentions a memorandum from the U.S. government to the French, essentially implementing Jim Crow by discouraging the French from treating African-American soldiers as equals. This term is crucial in understanding the racial dynamics and the challenges faced by the Harlem Hell Fighters.

💡Legion of Merit

The Legion of Merit is a military decoration awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services. The script notes that it took about 75 years for the U.S. government to award this honor to Henry Johnson, illustrating the delayed recognition of African-American soldiers' contributions.

💡Purple Heart

The Purple Heart is a U.S. military decoration awarded to those who have been wounded or killed while serving in the military. In the script, it is mentioned that there was no notation of Henry Johnson's injury in his military record, and thus he did not receive the Purple Heart, reflecting the lack of recognition and support for African-American soldiers.

💡Democracy

Democracy is discussed in the script as both an ideal and a weapon for the Harlem Hell Fighters. They fought for the rights to be citizens of the country they were born in, even though they faced discrimination at home. The concept of democracy is integral to the video's message, showing the Hell Fighters' fight for equality and recognition within a democratic framework.

💡Courage

Courage is a central theme in the video, exemplified by the actions of the Harlem Hell Fighters and individuals like Henry Johnson. It is defined by their willingness to fight and defend their positions despite overwhelming odds and personal injury. The script uses the term to highlight the bravery of these soldiers in the face of adversity.

Highlights

The Harlem Hell Fighters were a regiment of New York National Guardsmen in WWI, set up to fail by their own government.

They were humiliated, degraded, and given to the French army as a throwaway.

Despite the odds, they returned as one of the most decorated units in the US Army.

The Harlem Hell Fighters are one of the most important regiments in American history for their role in WWI.

They helped establish the power of black soldiers in the military to the world.

African-Americans faced significant prejudice and challenges to join the US military at that time.

They had to overcome the prejudice of their own countrymen while also performing on the battlefield.

Initially, they were assigned to labor duty, unloading ships and building latrines.

The men were trained and willing to fight, but were given menial tasks instead.

Being given to the French army was seen as an even greater insult.

Henry Johnson is a remarkable black military hero in US history.

Johnson fought off a German raid with Private NM Roberts, defending their position.

Despite being wounded, Johnson fought off as many as 30 German soldiers single-handedly.

The French awarded him the Croix de Guerre, a great honor.

It took 75 years for the US to award him the Legion of Merit.

Johnson did not receive the recognition he deserved from the US government.

The US government sent a memorandum to the French implementing Jim Crow laws.

After their service, the Harlem Hell Fighters did not receive the recognition or assistance they deserved.

Their story is a testament to valor, courage, and the fight for democracy and equality.

The Harlem Hell Fighters' story is an important part of American history that should be told.

Transcripts

the Harlem Hell Fighters was a regiment

of New York National Guardsmen in the

first world war they were set up to fail

by their own government they were

humiliated degraded uh eventually given

to the French army as a throwaway and

they ended up coming home as one of the

most decorated units in the entire US

Army the Harlem Hell Fighters are one of

the most important regiments in American

history in World War I they helped to

establish to the entire world the power

of black soldiers in the

military it was very difficult at that

time for African-Americans to get into

the United States military because there

was this perception that

African-Americans would not do well in

battle they had to overcome the

Prejudice of their own countrymen and

yet also perform a on the battlefield

like so many units of African-American

descent when they go overseas they're

not sure what they're going to do are

they going to fight his infantry or are

they going to be Ste ofor and load ship

are they going to be labor units and cut

wood and so they're committed to labor

Duty they're unloading ships building

latrines those type of support services

and as you can imagine these men have

been trained and they're willing to

fight they're ready to fight and this is

stressful for them they were finally

given to the French army which in a way

was an even greater insult because in

the first world war when the United

States entered General persing the

commanding officer was very clear that

American forces would not be fed peace

meal into the French and British Army

cuz the French and British wanted

reinforcements and persing said

absolutely not when Americans join this

war they will fight as an American Force

under an American flag led by an

American General dot dot dot except for

the black guys you can have

them

Henry Johnson is perhaps one of the most

remarkable black military heroes in US

history and he found himself in no man's

land with private NM Roberts Manning a

listening post and NM Roberts hears

click click click and he realizes

somebody's cutting the wire it's

potentially a German

raid and so Roberts is passing him

grenades and they line up these grenades

and the Germans actually do come across

the lines Roberts is hurt and now Henry

Johnson is left to defend their position

and to stve off this attack and then he

makes the mistake of jamming a French

cartridge into his American Gun and it

no longer will work and the Germans are

on top of it he then used his rifle like

a club and then he ended up fighting

with a knife against the Kaiser's best

and turned them he's wounded in The Fray

he's struck for example in the foot um

and has a debilitating injury as a

result and he fights them off he says

for what seemed like an hour the Germans

ran shrieking into the night all because

of one

man it's not until the next morning that

people realize what a tremendous act

this was they discover four bodies of

dead German soldiers and they also

realize from the equipment and other

things that are left behind that as many

as 30 may have been involved in this

altercation as soon as he drove off

those Germans the French awarded him

with the quadir a great honor

unfortunately it took about 75 years for

the US government to give him the Legion

of Merit had he been white he would have

walked out of that war with the Medal of

[Music]

Honor what was so shocking to me when I

began to research the story of the hell

Fighters was that after they had

performed so magnificently in combat the

United States government actually sent a

memorandum to the French government

essentially implementing Jim Crow

essentially saying don't give them some

notion that they are equals because we

don't want them taking that notion back

to the United States and demanding

equality when it come back to the United

States he's not awarded the purple heart

there's no notation in his military

record of his injury and so he winds up

not being able to work because of this

injury he doesn't get any kind of

assistance from the from the army or

from the government as a result and he

ends up dying in 1929 pennil so it again

shows the Paradox here's this great

story of Valor and of Courage on the

part of the soldier and ultimately he

comes back to a nation that doesn't

honor that

sacrifice we tend to think we all know

American history so well but the story

of the Harlem Hell Fighters should be

one of the first stories

told it wasn't about killing other

people it was about being Americans and

serving their country well that was the

inclination of the Harlem Hell

Fighters when you are African-American

in

1917 democracy is armor democracy is a

weapon and to fight for a war to make

the world safe for democracy was

something more than just some ethereal

Crusade for the hell Fighters it had

concrete results they were fighting for

the rights to be a citizen of the

country that they were born

in

[Music]