Shining new light on the contributions of the Harlem Hellfighters

It’s been 100 years since the end of World War I. The armistice signed in 1918 was supposed to bring the world together, but a group of American soldiers who were fighting for freedom and democracy had yet to experience those ideals in their own country. Michelle Miller reports.
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[@jaridkeen123]

It really upsets me when I hear someone judge someone by the color of there skin. It is very upsetting

[@theduke6174]

It's more than just judging, it's depicting a group that fought for the same country as beneath praise or accolades.

[@cflo1386]

Awesome the French government acknowledged their service. RIP to all Harlem Hellfighters.

[@roms4154]

in france a lot of people know the harlem hellfighters , they were very well accepted by the French army, they are great heroes, while the American government didn't want them to fight with the white Americans! unbelievable !! moreover some of them stayed in France after the war !

[@kylaarmstrong-benjamin5986]

Great piece! Love learning about overlooked history!!

[@chapo3992]

These brave men were victims of discrimination but they didn't see themselves as such. They wanted to fight for the country that oppressed them for God's sake! These men are the incarnation of the American dream. They dreamt that one day America could live up to her ideals and their fight will forever echo the spirit of freedom. Love from Norway!

[@emilym8571]

On my visits to a family member in NYC, I've noticed many times a street sign on FDR drive upper east side of Manhattan: '369th Harlem Hellfighters Drive.' I never knew what it was named after until now. Pretty awesome history!

[@IM_ACID]

It’s crazy how no teacher taught me this in history class

[@ravenc1298]

So glad they did this I’m working on curriculum focused on the events of this time! Shows me I’m on the right track!

[@Laitalafraise]

Great documentary! Thank you CBS! ❤

[@itstheru274]

"😳😯"long over do!"😟

[@itstheru274]

Why they never speak of these Great Afrikan Black Brave Brother's when them "FAKE HOLIDAYS" come around!??"😟😯

[@lifevlog6216]

By military law all military members must salute a Medal of Honor recipient. Henry Johnson earned his medal. He is a true American hero.

[@andeusmc2030]

Would love to see a Harlem based FDNY Engine Company named after these warlords. It'd be a perfect nod from one fighting company to another.

[@ntulimick9792]

The truth is you can't stop black men, history proves it, music, sports, politics, business etc, after all the evil you have done we still smile and come out best and will forever be. Salute.

[@reyperez3424]

Ntuli Mick 😂

[@darcboy1398]

I agree forget what they were called but look at the unit of black troops in the Revolutionary War that helped attack Canada they were wiped out because if they survived the ones that were slaves got their freedom

[@bertramdavis7120]

Damn I'm in tears!!!

[@fanchdelapampa3896]

Respect à eux

[@benjaminhuynh5329]

I need a Henry Johnson movie... desperately.

[@calvintillman2934]

These men are my heroes.

[@nuday777]

My Uncle Willie Jackson served as a Harlem Hell Fighters. He passed away this week. My heart is heavy. He made a tremendous mark in our history- 🫡. He passed away in South Carolina.

[@diegofigueroa9707]

This would be a great movie

[@fabs8498]

It's not a pleasant picture of american society.

[@dylanhill6736]

There's always three sides to a story. Thank you for your bravery and service!

[@janicehoyte3969]

There is so much about african americans we don't know. There contribute so much to this country and are treated so unfairly

[@kristoffermangila]

"Hear the toll of the bell, over six months in hell, Out of the trenches they came. As the war rages on, at the edge of the Argonne, Hellfighters earning their name." - from the song "Hellfighters" by Sabaton.

[@anthonyvaughan6470]

BIG UP RESPECT !!!!!

[@anthonyvaughan6470]

AMEN TO THAT !!!!

[@noelphillip9949]

President Obama posthumously recognized Sgt Henry Johnson, an African-American serviceman with the Congressional Medal of Honor June 2nd 2015 for his heroism on the battlefields of France nearly a century ago. 2015

[@camrenwick]

It;s an absolute disgrace when a country can't treat it's own citizens and soldiers with the respect and honour they deserve, because of their skin colour. An embarrassment to the world.

[@viniciuslourenza6665]

Sargent henry Johnson medal of honor

[@rozmcleod6361]

Salute these services men

[@will16320]

Wow she gave it all to the Smithsonian, making history public

[@calvintillman2934]

These men fought for every black man, woman and child. I love my brothers and their sacrifice. 191 days straight in combat. Their white counterparts would have been whining ,crying, bitching and moaning if they had to stay 90 days. They all knew you were better than they were. Besides y’all didn’t need to fight along side such cowards.

[@paulnicholson1906]

Pershing gave the Hellfighters to the French and that gave them the distinction of fighting for the allies much longer than any of the white troops since Pershing wanted them to serve as a separate army rather than being deployed with allied units.

[@cheardsful]

I really wish she would have kept the french medal and other information concerning her loved one and passed it down to the next generation big mistake I think those items are priceless

[@19Edurne]

Which is precisely why she gave it all to the Smithonian; for all people to know about and not just her family.

[@ginamcvey8065]

I am the last of the McVey family, so there is no one to pass it on to.

[@kristoffermangila]

​@@ginamcvey8065a Swedish heavy metal band memorialized your great-grandfather's unit with a song.

[@Cslobasz2002]

Glory to the heroes of the wars, no matter of colour, race, religion, sexual interest or gender! War is awful, but they had no choice. Don't let this ever happen again!

[@backstabingpike]

Shinning light is a nice way of saying suppression heavy, of the most decorated military units in WWI, which were given to foreign countries, because the whites wouldn't fight next to them, and then hung in there uniforms, as a thank you for there service

[@azzie_tv5708]

similar story , wow...african also participated in the liberation of France ......Algerian , Moroccan , Tunisian , Senegaleese , Cameron....etc...

[@Venger02]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@xhogun8578]

So sad that America didn't recognise these hero's at the time and continued with this attitude during ww2.

[@kennethmassey534]

Any wonder things are the way they are today?

[@lordnightvillain2589]

AMERICA

[@gjones1316]

Damn. Fierce’ n Funk

[@viniciuslourenza6665]

Coporal frediee stowers medal of honor

[@lyndonbrookins5300]

The story of the real Captain America, and Bucky Barnes.

[@TS-tv2ik]

US we ought to celebrate there courageous and committed soldiers! Amen President Obama!! We need to tell the story, tell the truth!! Amen sister!

[@CetribeaBurundibwiza-tz5le]

When will USA stop profiting from black Americans???

[@thaddeuss.8332]

As soon as taxes become determined by race

[@reyperez3424]

Cetribea Burundibwiza 😂

[@azzie_tv5708]

500 000 african

[@DhiieBloodsChannel]

Next supot

[@azzie_tv5708]

more than 500 000 Participated in the liberation of Europe, in WW2

[@irishempire9811]

What does that have to do with the Hellfighters?

[@americanatlas3631]

5:00 The 1st and 26th Divisions were in Europe since 1917 and had over 200 days in combat. The war was already over when the 369th reached the Rhine. Only 2,500 US troops were taken POW during WWI, so surrendering was an uncommon occurrence across the board. For once I would actually like to here about this regiment's accomplishments in combat rather than a regurgitation of the embellished "They were the first to do this" or "They did the most of that".

[@emorej2348]

American Atlas truth is, a lot of people haven’t heard of them at all. Growing up, I never heard of this regiment on school. Studied WW1 all throughout college, never once were they mentioned. It’s important to state the firsts, it’s also important to dive deep into the records and see what you can find. Maybe the answers that you’re looking for haven’t been found. Maybe you could shed more light on the regiment.

[@antonewilson4310]

Um, seeing as they did their fighting with the French you aren't going to get the full account. So, let's quit trying to downplay a significant war-time contribution.

[@tracywilson892]

We are not Africans we are Americans

[@user-hl7wq8ex6j]

When the German soldiers were found dead on the battlefield they went inside of their pocketbooks and inside of their pocketbooks the notes that they wrote said man these boys from Harlem sure fight like they're from hell and that's why they spent the most days in combat out of any unit in the US military during World War One salute to my ancestors