YES WE SERVED! ARMY, MARINE CORPS, NAVY, AIR FORCE & COAST GUARD

TO OUR READERS, SUPPORTERS AND ADVERTISERS,

The last three issues we honored African Americans, U.S. Service Men and Women & Veterans who served this country with dignity, pride, excellence and honor. The last pictorial issue will be published February 27th. These issues are designed to start conversation about Men and Women who served this
country.

YES, WE FURTHER SERVED in the Spanish-American War. The sinking of the U.S.Navy Battleship marine, in Havana Harbor on February 15, 1898, and the resulting loss of American lives gave both, the civilian and military forces the cause that they needed for war. However, the suddenness of this terrible event revealed the shortcoming in military preparedness.

The army at this time only totaled little more than 26,000 men and 2,000 officers. To make matters worse, the small numbers of experienced combat troops were stationed at numerous forts throughout the west. Under these circumstances, some of the first units ordered to Cuba were four black regiments. The War Department determined that blacks were immune to the diseases of the tropics and capable of more activity in high, humid temperatures. Black Buffalo Soldiers were among these men. During this conflict, Buffalo Soldiers were described as “most gallant and soldierly”. On one landing at Tayabacoa, Cuba, 10th Calvary Privates William H. Thompskins, Fitz Lee, Dennis Bell, and George Wanton voluntarily went ashore in the face of enemy fire to rescue wounded U.S. and Cuban comrades. After several attempts, they succeeded. Each was awarded the Medal of Honor. A career soldier, Thompskins was eventually buried at the Presidio’s San Francisco National Cemetery, along with another 450 Black veterans of the 9th and 10th Calvary and the 24th and 25th Infantry.

The 9th and 10th Calvary along with the 24th and 25th Infantry fought up the slope of San Juan Hill with the 1st Volunteer Calvary (The Rough Riders) led by Theodore Roosevelt.

In addition to the African Americans who served in regular army units during the Spanish American War, five African American volunteer army units also served.

7th United States Volunteer Infantry, 8th United States Volunteer Infantry
9th United States Volunteer Infantry
10th United States Volunteer Infantry
11th United States Volunteer Infantry

In addition to these units, seven African American National Guard units also served.

3rd Alabama Volunteer Infantry
8th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Companies A and B, 1st Indiana Infantry
23rd Kansas Volunteer Infantry
3rd North Carolina Volunteer
9th Ohio Volunteer Infantry
6th Virginia Volunteer Infantry

YES, WE SERVED during World War I. By the time of with Germany on November 1918, over 350,000 African Americans had served with the American Expeditionary Force on the Western Front. Although most African American units were neglected to support roles and did not see combat, some African American soldiers, played a notable role in America’s War effort. One of the most distinguished units was the 369th Infantry Regiment, known as the Harlem Hellfighters, which was on the front lines for six months, longer than any other American Unit in the war. One hundred and seventy one members of the 369th Infantry were awarded the Legion of Merit. Some of the most notable African – American units which served in this war were:

92nd Infantry Division
369th Infantry (“Harlem Hellfighters)
370th Infantry Regiment
371st Infantry Regiment
372nd Infantry Regiment