Harlem Hellfighters

The Harlem Hellfighters was one of the most highly decorated American units in World War I. They spent more time in continuous combat than any similar American unit: 191 days on the front lines and suffered more losses than any other American regiment, with more than 1,400 total casualties. Their courage earned them fame in Europe and America and the French government awarded a Croix de Guerre citation to the unit.

 I had never heard of this unit until I ran across an extraordinary quilt in the Renwick Gallery in Washington, D.C., a few years ago. The quilt itself is extraordinary and I couldn’t stop looking at it. It was created by Bisa Butler from a famous black and white photograph of the unit. The photo here is a snapshot of a postcard I brought home — look up the quilt to get a better idea of how amazing it is!

#BlackHistoryMonth

February 3, 2026

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