“ Your troops have been admirable in their attack. You must be proud of the courage of your officers and men; and I consider it an honor to have them under my command.”
~ General Mariano Goybet, commander of the French 157th Division, 1918
”
372nd Infantry Regiment in France
To prepare for war in Europe, the United States government united the disparate elements of state militias into a centrally organized National Guard. In keeping with the United States Army’s strict segregationist policies, Company L of the 6th Massachusetts Volunteer Militia was combined with Black companies from other states to form the 372nd Regiment of Infantry, a segregated unit composed entirely of soldiers of color. Upon arrival in France, the Black soldiers of the 372nd Infantry were attached to the 157th Infantry Division of the French Army. Known as the “Red Hand” Division for its distinctive insignia, the corps consisted of men recruited from French colonial territories in Africa.
In 1918, the men of the 372nd Infantry Regiment fought in Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Between September and November, more than 1.2 million American soldiers battled across northwestern France in the climactic campaign of World War I. It was one of the largest battles in the history of the United States army – and one of the costliest. At the end of the battle, more than 26,000 American soldiers had been killed, including 81 men from the 372nd Infantry.
Fighting with tenacity and bravery, the 372nd and its fellow regiments were singled out for praise by French and American generals. They returned to Massachusetts as heroes.
Serving with the French Army meant that the Massachusetts men in Company L and the 372nd Regiment had to exchange their American weapons and uniforms for French rifles and equipment.