Meuse-Argonne, 26 September–1 October 1918

Hell Fighters from Harlem, painting by H. Charles McBarron, Jr. The 369th Infantry fought valiantly in the Meuse-Argonne as part of the French 161st Division. Attacking behind a fiery barrage, the 369th Infantry assaulted successive German trench lines and captured the town of Ripont. On 29 September, the regiment stormed powerful enemy positions and took the town of Sechault. Despite heavy casualties, the 369th, called “Hell Fighters” by the French and Germans, relentlessly continued the attack at dawn. Raked by enemy machine guns, they assaulted in the woods northeast of Sechault, flanking and overwhelming enemy machine gun positions. The “Let’s Go!” elan and indomitable fighting spirit of the 369th Infantry was illustrated throughout the battle. Their initiative, leadership, and gallantry won for their entire regiment the French Croix de Guerre.