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
The entire First Battalion of the 367th, was cited for bravery and
awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French. The citation was made by the
French Commission because of the splendid service and bravery shown by
the regiment in the last engagement of the war, Sunday and Monday,
November 10th and 11th in the drive to Metz. The men went into action
through the bloody valley commanded by the heavy guns of Metz, and held
the Germans at bay until the 56th regiment could retreat, but not until
it had suffered a heavy loss. The First Battalion was commanded by Major
Charles L. Appleton of New York, with company commanders and
lieutenants, Negroes.
Another distinguished component of the 92nd Division was the 365th
Infantry made up of selectives principally from Chicago and other parts
of Illinois. This regiment saw about the same service as the 367th,
perhaps a little more severe, as the casualties were greater. In the
action at Bois Frehaut in the drive on Metz, the 365th lost forty-three
men killed in action and dead from wounds. In addition there were
thirty-two missing in action, most of whom were killed or succumbed to
wounds. About 200 were wounded or gassed.
In General Orders, issued by the commander of the division, a number of
Negro officers, non-commissioned officers and privates of the 365th were
commended for meritorious conduct in the actions of November 10th and
11th. Those named were; Captain John H. Allen, First Lieutenants Leon F.
Stewart, Frank L. Drye, Walter Lyons, David W. Harris, and Benjamin F.
Ford; Second Lieutenants George L. Games and Russell C. Atkins;
Sergeants Richard W. White John Simpson, Robert Townsend, Solomon D.
Colson, Ransom Elliott and Charles Jackson; Corporals Thomas B.
Coleman, Albert Taylor, Charles Reed and James Conley, and Privates Earl
Swanson, Jesse Cole, James Hill, Charles White and George Chaney.
Captain Allen of the Machine Gun Company of the 365th, died in France of
pneumonia. Only a short time before his death he had been awarded the
Distinguished Service Cross by General Pershing, for exceptional
gallantry before Metz.
Private Robert M. Breckenridge of Company B, 365th regiment, also gave
his life in France, but had received the Distinguished Service Cross for
extraordinary heroism in action at Ferme de Belwir, October 29th, 1918.
Corporal Russell Pollard of Company H received his Distinguished Service
Cross shortly before his return home. He was cited for extraordinary
heroism in action in the first days battle at Metz.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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