Suozzi Introduces the Harlem Hellfighters Congressional Gold Medal Act

On Friday, Congressman Tom Suozzi (D – Long Island, Queens) introduced H.R. 5248, legislation to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 369th Infantry Regiment, commonly known as the “Harlem Hellfighters,” in recognition of their bravery and outstanding service during World War I.

“It is never too late to do the right thing. When the Hellfighters returned home from World War One, instead of being honored for their selfless service to our nation, they were met with discrimination and racism,” said Suozzi. “The bravery, dedication, and sacrifices of the Harlem Hellfighters, who served 191 days under near constant enemy fire, impacted the outcome of the first World War and in turn, American history. The Harlem Hellfighters undeniably deserve our nation’s gratitude and awarding the unit the Congressional Gold Medal will be an important first step in righting this decades-old injustice.”

On Saturday November 16, at an event in Glen Cove, NY, honoring the legacy of the Harlem Hellfighters, Suozzi announced that he would introduce the Congressional Gold Medal legislation this week. That announcement was met with gratitude and applause from the crowd, which included family members of Harlem Hellfighters.

The Harlem Hellfighters were an African-American infantry unit in WWI who spent more time in combat than any other American unit. In 1918, the U.S. Army decided to assign the unit to the French Army for the duration of American participation in World War I because many white American soldiers refused to perform combat duty with African-Americans. The men were issued French weapons, helmets, belts, and pouches, although they continued to wear their U.S. uniforms. Despite their courage, sacrifice, and dedication to their country, they returned home to face racism and segregation from their fellow countrymen.

The Congressional Gold Medal is an award bestowed by the United States Congress, to honor those, individually or as a group, “who have performed an achievement that has an impact on American history and culture that is likely to be recognized as a major achievement in the recipient’s field, long after the achievement.” The practice of issuing gold medals to honor recipients from the military began during the American Revolution.

The gold medal will be designed and struck by the United States Mint and displayed at the Smithsonian Institution and at events associated with the Harlem Hellfighters. Bronze versions of the medals are struck for sale by the U.S. Mint, and may be available in both larger and smaller sizes.

At the Glen Cove event honoring the Harlem Hellfighters, Suozzi surprised the family of World War I Army Sergeant and Harlem Hellfighter, Leander Willett, with the prestigious and historic Purple Heart. Willett’s daughter, Clara Willett, proudly and emotionally accepted her father’s long-overdue recognition for “wounds received as a result of hostile actions” in France on October 4, 1918.