Heywood Broun, a correspondent with the American Expeditionary Forces, stated, “American blacks in stevedore service were the first American arrivals in France in June 1917. They had been outfitted with old overcoats of the period shortly after the Civil War: blue coats with gold buttons and a lining of crimson.”

Serving in segregated units and primarily assigned to manual labor, African American men and women defended democracy overseas, while not receiving the full rights of citizenship at home. The 369^th Infantry, also known as the Black Rattlers, will have the distinction of serving the longest frontline service (191 days in trenches) of any American regiment and will be awarded the French Croix de Guerre.

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