Croix De Guerre and Distinguished Service Cross Awards

United States Distinguished Service Cross (at left) and French Croix De Guerre (right)

The 369th Infantry Regiment, part of the 93rd Division, proved the capabilities of African American troops in World War I, serving the longest of any American combat troops in the trenches. It established an excellent reputation fighting under the French and earned such nicknames as the “Harlem Hellfighters.”

Among its members, Sgt. Henry Johnson, was the first American recipient of the French Croix de Guerre for bravery. He was recently awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously. Private Needham Roberts, 369th Infantry, was the second recipient of the Croix de Guerre.

A total of 68 Croix de Guerre and 24 Distinguished Service Crosses were awarded to men of the 93rd Division along with several unit commendations, making it one of the most decorated American units of the war. The performance of the 369th and other African American combat units informed the American military to reconsider its segregation practices in later years.

The U.S. Armed Forces was desegregated under WWI veteran, President Harry S Truman in 1948.