NY J01666

Recognizes the 369th Veterans Association, Richmond District for preserving the history of the 369th Infantry Regiment ("Harlem Hellfighters"), a segregated African American unit in World War I

The Harlem Hellfighters spent 191 days in frontline trenches (more than any other American unit), were the first Allied unit to reach the Rhine River, and never lost ground or a soldier to capture despite approximately 1,500 casualties

Notable members include Sergeant Henry Johnson, who single-handedly fought off a 24-man German raiding party and received a posthumous Medal of Honor in 2015, and bandleader James Reese Europe, credited with introducing jazz to Europe

The 369th Veterans Association was founded October 6, 1953, is a federally chartered non-profit of veterans from all military branches, with districts throughout New York and the United States

The Richmond District conducts community outreach including partnerships with Girl Scout troops, sponsoring students for HBCU campus tours, and assisting veterans at Fort Hamilton with health benefit cards