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

Sea Power, Aug 2003 by Gardner, Sherry L

THE HELLFIGHTERS OF HARLEM: African-American Soldiers Who Fought for the Right to Fight for Their Country, by Bill Harris, New York, N.Y.: Carroll & Graf, Nov. 2002. 256 pp. $25.00. ISBN: 0-7876-1050-0. Bill Harris has written extensively on the history of New York City during his 30-year tenure on the staff of The New York Times.

The distinguished 369th Combat Regiment, which started out as the 15th Regiment of Colored Infantry, was forbidden to serve under U.S. command-by Gen. John J. Pershing-and the unit was handed over to the French Army. The 369th went on to receive, as a unit, the French Croix de Guerre and saw the longest frontline duty in World War I of any American unit. Before, during, and after their feats on the battlefield, the men of the 369th were shadowed by racism and debates among their own civilian leadership over whether they should withhold support for the war. Harris presents a story of pride and accomplishment as well as chronicling the 369th's contribution in the Pacific during World War II and in Iraq during the Gulf War. With eight black-and-white photographs, bibliography, and index.