Special Collections

African American soldiers were forced to serve in segregated units, and because of racist beliefs, were often forced to do noncombatant work. In the face of this racism, many African American soldiers gave their lives during World War I. About 350,000 African Americans served in the military during this time, and over 17,000 African Americans from Tennessee served during the war. One of these men was Henry Alvin Cameron (Tennessee State Museum).

Roughly 350,000 African Americans served on the Western Front during World War I. Because the U.S. military was still segregated at the time, many of the African Americans who served were relegated to labor and stevedore units instead of combat units. One notable exception was the 369th Infantry Regiment, nicknamed the "Harlem Hellfighters." The regiment arrived in France in January 1918 but was given only labor service duties until April, when it was assigned to the French Army. The regiment spent 191 days in combat, more than any other American unit, participating in the Champagne-Marne and Meuse-Argonne campaigns. It was also the first Allied unit to reach the Rhine River in November 1918. All told, 171 of the regiment's officers and men received awards for bravery. The regimental band, led by James Reese Europe, is credited with introducing jazz music to Europe. Other notable members of the 369th were Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, the tap dancer and actor, and Vertner Woodson Tandy, one of the founders (or "Seven Jewels") of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first African American fraternity.

Excerpt taken from Tennessee State Library & Archives

The Volunteer State Goes to War: A Salute to Tennessee Veterans

Sergeant Henry Lincoln Johnson and Private Needham Roberts were members of the 369th Infantry Regiment. As a result of their heroic actions, depicted in this lithograph, Johnson and Roberts were the first American soldiers to be awarded France’s prestigious Croix de Guerre medal during World War I.

Honored as Heroes:

• Henry Johnson 
• Needham Roberts
• Cited for Bravery and Receive
• Croix De Guerre

Colored Man Is Eager to Show His Mettle and Do His Bit

General Pershing's Communique
Headquarters American Expeditionary Forces, May 19, 1918

"Section B — Reports in hand show a notable instance of bravery and devotion shown by two soldiers of an American colored regiment operating in a French sector. Before daylight on May 15, Pte. Henry Johnson and Pte. Roberts, while on sentry duty at some distance from one another, were attacked by a German raiding party estimated at twenty men, who advanced in two groups, attacking at once from both flank and rear.

"Both men fought bravely in hand-to-hand encounters, one resorting to the use of a bolo knife after his rifle jammed and further fighting with bayonet and butt became impossible. There is evidence that at least one, and possibly a second, German was severely cut. A third is known to have been shot.

"Attention is drawn to the fact that the two colored sentries were first attacked and continued fighting after receiving wounds and despite the use of grenades by a superior force."

On June 2, 2015, Henry Johnson was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. 

Excerpt taken from Tennessee State Library & Archives

The Volunteer State Goes to War: A Salute to Tennessee Veterans

A memorial collection honoring African American Tennesseans who made the supreme sacrifice during World War I

At least ten men from Williamson County have been identified as serving in the advance troops who were first sent to France and served with French Infantry Troops. 

In 1917, the United States drafted 61,069 Tennesseans into the First World War; roughly 17,339 were African Americans from across the state.

The nation eventually drafted 61,069 Tennesseans, 43,730 whites, and 17,339 blacks.

• The United States. Army--Recruiting, enlistment, etc.--World War, 1939-1945
• World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American

A complete history of the colored soldiers in the world war; an authentic story of the greatest war of civilized times and what the colored man did to uphold democracy and liberty