U.S. 371st Infantry Regiment
Encyclopedia
The 371st Infantry Regiment. was an African American
regiment
, nominally a part of the 93rd Infantry Division (Colored), that served with the French Army
in World War I
. This was seconded to the 157th French Army
division called the Red Hand Division in need of reinforcement under the command of the General Mariano Goybet
awarded by the Distinguished Service Medal (United States)
.
Corporal Freddie Stowers
of the regiment's 1st Battalion
was the only African American
soldier from World War I awarded the Medal of Honor
.
On arrival in France, this unit was transferred into the French command, so its decorations are French rather than American. This unit was extremely well decorated, receiving unit and numerous individual citations including Croix de Guerre and Légion d'honneur.
A detailed history of this unit is given in Chester Heywood's Negro Combat Troops, published in 1928 and reprinted since.
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
, nominally a part of the 93rd Infantry Division (Colored), that served with the French Army
French Army
The French Army, officially the Armée de Terre , is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces.As of 2010, the army employs 123,100 regulars, 18,350 part-time reservists and 7,700 Legionnaires. All soldiers are professionals, following the suspension of conscription, voted in...
in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. This was seconded to the 157th French Army
French Army
The French Army, officially the Armée de Terre , is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces.As of 2010, the army employs 123,100 regulars, 18,350 part-time reservists and 7,700 Legionnaires. All soldiers are professionals, following the suspension of conscription, voted in...
division called the Red Hand Division in need of reinforcement under the command of the General Mariano Goybet
Mariano Goybet
Mariano Francisco Julio Goybet was a French Army general that held several senior commands in World War I.-An old Savoy family:...
awarded by the Distinguished Service Medal (United States)
Distinguished Service Medal (United States)
The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
.
Corporal Freddie Stowers
Freddie Stowers
Freddie Stowers was a Corporal in the United States Army who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his actions in World War I while serving in an American unit under French command....
of the regiment's 1st Battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
was the only African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
soldier from World War I awarded the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
.
On arrival in France, this unit was transferred into the French command, so its decorations are French rather than American. This unit was extremely well decorated, receiving unit and numerous individual citations including Croix de Guerre and Légion d'honneur.
A detailed history of this unit is given in Chester Heywood's Negro Combat Troops, published in 1928 and reprinted since.