The FReeper Foxhole Remembers "Harlem's HellFighters" 369th Infantry - Feb. 27th, 2003

http://raven.cc.ukans.edu/~libsite/wwi-www/Scott/SCh14.htm ^ | Emmet J. Scott

[PhilDragoo]

The Hellfighters of Harlem: African-American Soldiers
Who Fought for the Right to Fight for Their Country
by Bill Harris

Bonjour Lonnie

From the moment Lonnie hears the song of the beautiful Love Bird, his life begins to change--as if by magic! Instead of sitting all alone in his room at the orphanage, he finds himself following the magical Love Bird into another place and time: Paris, France in the early 1900s. As Lonnie searches the city for the tricky bird, he is led to an old house. There, waiting for him, are his grandparents, who at last tell Lonnie the story of his family that he has so desperately longed to know. It is a family history that is inextricably bound with the history of a century and the history of several cultures: African American, French, Jewish. Beginning with a grandfather who fought in World War I with the French in the exclusive regiment known as the Harlem Hell Fighters through the Harlem Renaissance and the blossoming of African American culture to the darker times of World War II, Lonnie traces his family tree and comes to know all the people who gave him their talents, their strengths, and their love. Cover excerpt, Bonjour Lonnie, by Faith Ringgold, (edited by Elizabeth Gordon), Hyperion Press, New York 1996.

"I wanted to give some affirmation to children of mixed heritage and children without parents. Also, the experience of African Americans going to Paris to achieve cultural freedom has been interesting to me since my first trip there, in 1961. I fell in love with Paris. At that time, I became aware that some forty years earlier, in the 1920s, African American artists, writers, and musicians began going to Paris because they felt the same way. I thought it a good idea for Lonnie to have French roots.

"As a child, growing up in Harlem, I often saw the 369th Infantry soldiers drilling in the streets and I went to the armory to attend dances and social gatherings. My uncle was in the 369th regiment, and he went to France. The Harlem Hell Fighters won many medals for their bravery during World War I. When they returned to America, they were saluted as heroes, the first public honor afforded a group of African Americans. It is considered to be one of the causes of the Harlem Renaissance, which was a period of great cultural achievement for African Americans, both Home and abroad."

"I wanted to weave all these African American experiences into Lonnie's story." Faith Ringgold

~~~

Arriving in bookstores this coming week, Bonjour, Saddam--or is that, Bonfire, Saddam?

[The Real Deal]

SAMWolf. All I can say is WOW!

[SAMWolf]

You're welcome Jen, Phil's uncle's letter are so interesting. We get a glimpse into life over 80 years ago.

[SAMWolf]

Evening PhilDragoo.

[SAMWolf]

Interesting letter's aren't they?

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!

[colorado tanker]

Thanks, Sam. Interesting post.

Do you know if the unit is still around in the N.Y. Guard?

[SAMWolf]

369th Infantry



Constituted 2 June 1913 as the 15th Infantry, New York National Guard and organized 29 June 1916 at New York, New York, with Negro personnel. Mustered into Federal service 2,5 July 1917 at Camp Whitman, New York. Redesignated 369th Infantry and assigned to the 93d Division 1 March 1918. (15th Infantry, New York Guard, organized 31 July 1918, from depot elements of 15th Infantry, New York National Guard, to replace unit in Federal service.)

Relieved from the 93d Division and demobilized 28 February 1919 at Camp Upton, New York Reorganized and Federally recognized 6 September 1924 at New York. Redesignated 30 August 1940 as the 369th Coast Artillery (Antiaircraft Artillery).

Looks like it no longer exists.

[colorado tanker]

Redesignated 30 August 1940 as the 369th Coast Artillery (Antiaircraft Artillery).

My father in law was in the coast artillery, stationed on Staten Island during the Korean War. The unit was incredibly successful - not a single North Korean got into New York harbor. :)

[SAMWolf]

The unit was incredibly successful - not a single North Korean got into New York harbor. :)

ROTFL. Great Job!! But based on their choice of Senators lately, maybe we should ave let the North Koreans have it.

[colorado tanker]

But based on their choice of Senators lately, maybe we should have let the North Koreans have it.

LOL! It would really be nice to see Rudy Guiliani knock off Chuckie Schumer, wouldn't it? But I have no idea if he has an interest in trying.

[SAMWolf]

I figure anyone would be better than Schumer or Hillary

[MikalM]

WWI Print: "The Colored Man is No Slacker"

[SAMWolf]

Thanks MikalM.

[MikalM]

You're quite welcome. I first saw that print on display at a fascinating "African-Americans in the Military" exhibit at San Francisco's Fort Mason. Amazing stuff -- everything from the Revolutionary War to the Persian Gulf was covered.

[SAMWolf]

That sounds like an interesting exhibit.
We did a thread last week on the 9th and 10th Cavalry that covered the Indian Wars and the Spanish-American war.