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

by Bill Harris

The author paints a lively portrait of the Hellfighters of Harlem--the Army's most celebrated all-black unit during World War I--chronicling their fierce struggle to be allowed to serve, their exploits in Europe, their influence on American culture, and their continuing contributions in World War II and in Iraq during the Gulf War.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Military Fiction

320 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2002

Reviews

[Shlomo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not finished reading this book, but page by page I am amazed by the relentless racism that was directed at a group of people - black men - by their fellow countrymen, just for enlisting to fight the same war, the same enemy, the same threat to humanity and the same injustice across the world. These fine young men - all black of course, disproved the United States Military brass-knobs, through determination of courage and bravery. They did this in the First World War, and in the Second World War, when they faced even more hatred for just fighting the so-called enemy. A country hates its own so much that they hand a whole unit to a foreign power, who accorded them great respect and awards. yet some of them returned “home” to be refused food or services in certain white owned shops and restaurants, with the refrain, “we don't serve niggers”; whilst they were in military uniforms and all their medals pinned to their chest. Some democratic country. the hypocrisy of it all.

[MisterLiberry Head · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was led to this one by watching the outstanding three-part documentary “American Experience: The Great War” on PBS. That series – by including women, blacks, Latinos and Native Americans– provided a view of World War I history that was not covered by curricula when I was a student (the Army used Code Talkers in 1917-18, who knew?). I doubt that, back in my day, any history teachers ever mentioned that African-American troops wholeheartedly participated (and earned combat kudos) in the “War to End All Wars.” The all-black 369th Regiment of New York, detached to serve under the French contributed the longest front-line service of any U.S. regiment, with not one soldier captured or a foot of ground given up. They were the first Allied unit to reach the Rhine.
It is shocking to visit an era in which so many whites, right up to the President of the United States, behaved with casual, socially unassailable racism. With a brief time-out for killing Germans, these bigoted attitudes encouraged America to oppress even black men as demonstrably patriotic and brave as Harlem’s Hellfighters. Bill Harris tells the story of their struggles on and off the battlefield in a clear, unsensational manner graced by an intimate knowledge of New York. To paraphrase the old Sinatra lyric: “If you can win fights there, you’ll win fights anywhere!”

[John Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great chance to learn about a little known subject of World War II. This book hyped me up to see the movie Red Tails, but trust me, the book is better!

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not just the story of the Hellfighters, as I expected, but a history of African-Americans in military service since Colonial times. Important information, but could have been more readable.

[Stelepami · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy-to-read history of blacks in the US Armed Forces, starting with the focus on the Harlem Hellfighters, then switching back from the American Revolution and forwards to the end of the twentieth century.
I hadn't remembered that popular history books don't cite references in the text itself, which was disconcerting to me; but at least there was a bibliography, the perusal of which shows me that few original sources were studied but I didn't feel that as a negative while reading.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good history of the 369th Infantry Regiment of World War I. The struggle to form the black New York National Guard regiment is detailed as is the fight to go overseas to the war in France. Many individuals of the unit are highlighted as is the discrimination they faced. This is a good edition to the World War I military library.