Tag Archives: Harlem Hellfighters

Ebony Doughboys-WWI Re-enactors- New York Historical Society

The Ebony Doughboys were pleased to participate in a WWI Living History exhibit at the New York Historical Society representing the 369th Infantry commonly known as the “Harlem Hellfighters” The 369th Infantry was formerly known as the 15th New York National Guard based in Harlem NYC.

This famous unit of majority African American soldiers had one of the best combat records of any infantry unit that served in France during the great war.

For more information on this famous combat unit click: www.ebonydoughboys.org

Ebony Doughboys-WWI Reenactors-3 Centuries of African American Soldiers

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On 2/25 2/26 We celebrated our 6th consecutive year of our living history timeline 3 Centuries of African American Soldiers. 3 Centuries as the event is now affectionately known is a timeline that starts from the Revolutionary War to Korea. Reenactors  dressed in period uniforms tell the history of their particular time period and show off their valuable militaria collections. 3 Centuries was established to honor African American Veterans who have served in all of America’s wars till present.

Our special guest this year was NYU Professor and Author Dr. Jeffery SamDr. Jeffery Sammonsmons who lectured on his book about the 369th Infantry Regiment “Harlem Hellfighters” “The Harlem Rattlers and The Great War”.

 

 

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Ebony Doughboys WW1 Reenactors-Veterans Day in NYC November 2016

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The Ebony Doughboys were representing Harlem’s own 369th Harlem Hell Fighters at the NYC Veterans Day Parade November 11, 2016. Pictured are Steven Jones, Collins Jones and George Jones.

Another Contingent of Ebony Doughboy’s were also educating and honoring the memories of African American Veterans from the Revolutionary War, WWI and WWII at Charlottesville Virginia’s annual Veterans Day “Straighten Up and Fly Right” event at the Jefferson School a formerly segregated school for African American students.

 

Ebony Doughboys-501C3 Non Profit

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Ebony Doughboys is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that relies on your generosity to advance our goal in educating the public about the contributions of African American combat soldiers in the 93rd Infantry Division during WWI. Through your generosity we can continue to educate the public about these men through  our traveling history exhibits, educational programming, living history presentations and battle reenactments.

Please help us in honoring the memory of these forgotten soldiers who fought two wars, one in France and the other on the home front.

Ebony Doughboys- WWI Reenactors-Newville Pa-WWI-GWA

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The Ebony Doughboy’s were very busy the weekend of11/7/15.  Two Elements of the Ebony Doughboys were attending two different events.

The Illinois  contingent was manning the trenches as Red Hand soldiers in Newville, Pa. Our East Coast contingent was representing the state  side soldiers of the 93rd Infantry Division in Dover Delaware’s Veterans Day Parade with Caesar Rodney’s JROTC. CRJROTC displayed outstanding military discipline and drilling skill. Ebony Doughboys Dover Delaware Veterans Day Parade 2015CRHSJROTC 2015CRHS JROTC 2015Ebony Doughboys Dover Vets memorial

The Fall event in Newville Pa is a WWI tactical combat reenactment. This event includes military vehicles,  reenactors dressed in period WWI uniforms with weapons,  participating in WWI trench warfare. This event is the premiere tactical event of the two that we participate in each year in Newville.

Luther Johnson Newville 2015Ebony Doughboys 9The trenches Newville 2015

Both contingents of Ebony Doughboys portrayed their WWI counterparts with distinction while on the reenactment battlefield and on parade duty.

Ebony Dough boys-WWI Reenactors-Veterans Day Parade-Dover Delaware

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The Ebony Doughboys WWI Reenactors partnered with members of Cesar Rodney HS. JROTC at the Veterans Day Parade at Dover Delaware on November 7, 2015 to honor the veterans that served in the 93rd Infantry Division in WWI.Ebony Doughboys Dover Delaware Veterans Day Parade 2015

The 93rd Infantry Division was a segregated Infantry Division in WWI.

The Division included medal of honor winner’s Henry Johnson  of New York, Freddie Stowers of South Carolina as well as Needham Roberts winner of the Croix De guerre from Trenton, NJ.

The 93rd Infantry Division was the Division of the Harlem Hellfighters and the Bloody Red Hand Division.

African American soldiers in WWI fought under French command. General Pershing gave the all black 92nd and 93rd Divisions to the French to satisfy the French Armies manpower shortages and to also satisfy the American High Command’s segregated policy towards black troops serving in combat.

The state of Delaware was the home of many African American soldiers that served in WWI. Ebony Doughboys and Cesar Rodney’s JROTC was proud to represent these heroes on veterans day.

Ebony Doughboys-WWI-Harlem Hellfighters

cropped-Ebony-Doughboys-logo.pngEbony Doughboy member Algernon Ward will give a presentation on “The Harlem Hellfighters” at the Union League 140 South Broad St. Philadelphia, Pa. February 16, 2015 at 6 Pm. 369 marching

Affectionate known as Algie by friends and family Algie is Professionally  employed at the NJ Department of Health Laboratories since 1982 where he became its first African-American Chemist in 1987. In 2003 Algernon Ward Jr. became the NJDHSS’ first African-American Research Scientist.

In his personal life, while pursuing twin passions of acting and history,  Algie  is a founding member of the 6th Regiment United States Colored Troops, Civil War Reenactors Inc., where he is the President and 1st Sergeant. The regiment expanded to include African-American Revolutionary War patriots where Algie portrays both a soldier of “The Black Regiment” the 1st Rhode Island Regiment and Black Joe Brown a soldier of Glover’s Marbleheaders. As a Continental Militiaman, 

Algie can be seen in The History Channel’s series of “The Tech Effect of Washington Crossing The Delaware”. In the summer and fall of 2003 Algie was the Featured Reenactor in Part Four – “The Challenge To Freedom” as Senator Robert Smalls, South Carolina’s first African-American US Senator and Civil War hero, for the PBS Mini-Series  Slavery and The Making of America aired on WNET-13 New York in November 2005.

Algie’s image appears in the NJDEP’s “Oh Freedom” traveling exhibit which highlights the fight for freedom on both sides of the Revolutionary War.
For the past 5 years in commemoration of Black History Month the 6th Regiment USCT presents a program entitled “Three Centuries of Black Soldiers” in collaboration with Trenton’s Old Barracks Museum and The Trenton Historical Society. The program exhibits the contributions of African-American military men over the entire span of American military history.  Algie’s composed an engaging presentation focused on the history of the local “Black Doughboys” of World War I, many of whom were members of the famous 369th “Harlem Hellfighters” of the all black 93rd Division. His study of the regiment revealed a trove of information that could be lost in time if the reenactors of today didn’t make the effort to tell their stories.
To learn more about black combat troops in WWI click: www.ebonydoughboys.org

Ebony Doughboys-Harlem Hellfighters

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Ebony Doughboys are the only African American living history group in the US that recreates the history of the Harlem Hellfighters of the 369th Infantry 93rd Infantry Division. For more information on the history of the 369th Infantry during the “great war” as well the uniforms and equipment worn by the 369th Harlem Hellfighters click: www.ebonydoughboys.org

“The Great War”- Ebony Doughboys-WWI-Re-enactors

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Ebony Doughboys are African American WWI historians and Re-enactors that re-create life as it was for black soldiers during “The Great War”. We live and fight in the trenches as our ancestors did over 100 years ago. Our uniforms and equipment are that of an Ebony Doughboy serving under French command while still American soldiers of the 93rd Infantry Division. Ebony douchboys assaulting a trench

The 93rd Division was comprised of four regiments, the famous Harlem Hell Fighters of the 369th Infantry regiment, 370th Infantry, 371st Infantry and the 372nd Infantry.

For more information on black combat troops of the 93rd Infantry Division during “the war to end all wars” click: www.ebonydoughboys.org

Ebony Doughboys-WWI Re-enactors-Recruiting

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Ebony Doughboys WWI Re-enactors wants you! We are actively recruiting new members.  If you enjoy military history and you are passionate about African American history during “the war to end all wars” you can now relive your dream.  As an Ebony Doughboy you will actually recreate major battles that occurred during WWI. Our goals are to show the public how we supported our nation during the war to end all wars, to accurately portray the role of African Americans in WWI at public displays and reenactments and to Energize youth to maintain and promote our military history on a perpetual basis. To learn more about our unit please go to: www.ebonydoughboys.org .