Active 1913–1945 Type Infantry | Branch United States Army | |
 | ||
Allegiance United States of America Engagements World War I
Champagne–Marne
Meuse–Argonne
World War II
Italian Campaign | ||
The 371st Infantry Regiment. was an African American regiment, nominally a part of the 93rd Infantry Division (Colored), that served in World War I. On arrival in France, this unit was transferred into the French command, so its decorations are French rather than American. This unit was extremely well decorated, receiving unit and numerous individual citations including Croix de Guerre and Légion d'honneur. The 371st Regiment was seconded to the 157th Infantry Division, and called the Red Hand Division, under the command of General Mariano Goybet.
The 371st was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal (United States). Corporal Freddie Stowers of the regiment's 1st Battalion was the only African American soldier from World War I awarded the Medal of Honor.
A monument to the unit, near where Stowers earned the Medal of Honor, was erected in the Meuse-Argonne region, north of Sechault. It was completed after the regiment returned to the United States. During the German invasion of France in World War II, it was damaged by artillery. As of 2008, it remains in that damaged state.