History of the American Negro in the Great World War: His Splendid Record in the Battle Zones of Europe; Including a Resume of His Past Services to his Country in the Wars of the Revolution, of 1812, the War of Rebellion, the Indian Wars on the Frontier, the Spanish-American War, and the Late Imbroglio With MexicoSweeney, William Allison
History
History of the American Negro in the Great World War: His Splendid Record in the Battle Zones of Europe; Including a Resume of His Past Services to his Country in the Wars of the Revolution, of 1812, the War of Rebellion, the Indian Wars on the Frontier, the Spanish-American War, and the Late Imbroglio With Mexico
Sweeney, William Allison
African American soldiers; African Americans -- History -- 1877-1964; World War, 1914-1918 -- Participation, African American
[Illustration: GROUP ON EDGE OF PIER WAITING TO ENTRAIN FOR
DEMOBILIZATION CAMP. PART OF THE 351ST ARTILLERY UNIT SPECIALLY
MENTIONED BY GENERAL PERSHING.]
[Illustration: SALVATION ARMY LASSIES HANDING OUT CHOCOLATE TO TWO
SOLDIERS OF 351ST ARTILLERY.]
[Illustration: HEROES OF 351ST ARTILLERY GREETING FRIENDS AFTER
DEBARKING FROM THE TRANSPORT LOUISVILLE.]
Major Johnson led his battalion of the 372nd in an attack in the
Champagne which resulted in the capture of a German trench, 100
prisoners, an ammunition dump, thirty machine guns and two howitzers. He
received the Croix de Guerre and the Legion of Honor decoration from the
French, as well as the Distinguished Service Cross from General
Pershing.
Company B of the 372nd, took at Sechault in a raid, seventy-five
prisoners and four machine guns.
One of the distinguished units of the 372nd, was the old and famous
Company L of the Massachusetts National Guard. This unit was assembled
at Camp Devens and left soon after the declaration of war for the south.
It was stationed for a time at Newport News, and was then incorporated
with the 372nd, went to France with that organization and saw its share
of service throughout the campaign. Other distinguished units were the
well known Ninth Ohio Battalion National Guard, and National Guard
companies from Connecticut, Maryland and Tennessee.
Brigaded with the 372nd in the French "Red Hand" division, was another
Negro regiment, the 371st, made up principally of selectives from South
Carolina. It was commanded by Colonel P.L. Miles. Among the officers
were Major Thomas Moffatt and Captain William R. Richey from Charleston.
The regiment saw practically the same service as the 372nd under General
Goybet, was mentioned in divisional and special orders, was decorated by
Vice Admiral Moreau, Maritime Prefect of Brest, at the same time the
honor was conferred on the 372nd. The two regiments were together for
seven months. The men of the 371st especially distinguished themselves
at Crete des Observatories, Ardeuil and in the plains of Monthois.
Seventy-one individual members received the Croix de Guerre and some the
Distinguished Service Cross. Among the latter were the following:
Sergeant Lee R. McClelland, Medical Detachment, home address, Boston,
Mass., for extraordinary heroism in action near Ardeuil, September 30,
1918.
Corporal Sandy E. Jones, Company C, home address Sumter, S.C.; for
extraordinary heroism in action in the Champagne, September 28 and 29,
1918.
Private Bruce Stoney, Medical Detachment, home address, Allendale, S.C.;
for extraordinary heroism in action near Ardeuil, September 29, 1918.
Private Charlie Butler, Machine Gun Company, home address, McComb,
Miss.; for extraordinary heroism in action near Ardeuil, September 29,
1918.
Private Willie Boston, Machine Gun Company, home address, Roopville,
Ga.; for extraordinary heroism in action near Ardeuil, September 29,
1918.
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