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PDFPvt. Bee McKissic
Pvt. Jonas Paxton
Pvt. Harry Pearson
Pvt. Paul Turlington
Pvt. Reed J. Brown
Pvt. Paul Johnson
Pvt. Reedy Jones
Pvt. Alonzo Keller
Pvt. Leroy Lindsay
Pvt. Lavern Massey
Pvt. Josiah Nevees
Pvt. Ira Taylor
Pvt. Jesse Ferguson
Pvt. William M. Robinson
Awarded Distinguished Service Crosses by General Pershing:
Capt. William B.
Crawford
Lieut. William
J. Warfield
Sergt. Norman Henry
Sergt. Ralph Gibson
Sergt. Robert Barnes
Sergt. Charles
T. Monroe
Sergt. Emmett Thompson
Sergt. Lester Fossie
Sergt. Matthew
Jenkins
Pvt. Tom Powell
(deceased)
Pvt. Andrew McCall
Pvt. Wm. Cuff (deceased)
Pvt. Spirley Irby
Pvt. Alfred Williamson
Pvt. William G.
Hurdle
Pvt. Harry Pearson
Pvt. Alonzo Walton
Pvt. Leroy Davis
Pvt. James Fuquay
Pvt. Nathaniel
C. White (deceased)
Pvt. Arthur Johnson
CHAPTER XVIII.
BLOOD OF THE BLACK AND WHITE IN ONE RIVULET OF DEPARTING LIFE
Lincoln’s prophetic words—negroes alongside best soldiers in the world—hold their own—the 372nd regiment—brigaded with veterans of the Marne—famous “Red hand” Division—occupy hill 304 at Verdun—nine days battle in “Bloody Argonne”—Admiration of the French—conspicuous components of 372nd—chronology of service.
They will probably help
in some trying time to keep the jewel of
liberty in the family
of freedom.—Abraham Lincoln.
Prophetic words uttered by the Great Emancipator concerning the Negroes of America. The Negroes helped. They would have helped in much greater measure had they been given the opportunity.
Fighting for the first time on the soil of the world’s most famous battleground—Europe—and for the first time brought into direct comparison with the best soldiers of the world, they proved themselves able to hold their own where tests of courage, endurance and aggressiveness were most severe.
They fought valiantly in the vicinity of Chateau Thierry, on the Vesle, on the Aillette, in the Argonne, and various other sectors; and in the final drive at Metz. They vanquished the Germans who opposed them; the heaviest fire of the enemy failing to stop their advance.
No part of the 93rd Division made a more gallant record than the 372nd regiment. Throughout its service in France it was a part of the famous French 157th Division known as the “Red Hand” division, under the command of General Goybet. It was this division which first opposed the Huns at the Marne in 1914. To brigade the Negro soldiers with such famous veterans was a rare mark of distinction and placed the black men on their mettle at all times.
