rnc-hosts-african-american-veterans/
To celebrate Black History Month, the Republican National Committee (RNC) hosted a reception in honor of Commander Vincent D. McBeth and the historic Harlem Hellfighters at the African American Civil War Museum on Wednesday.
The event began with a commemoration of the 369th Infantry Regiment—known as the “Harlem Hellfighters.“ An African-American regiment in World War I, the Hellfighters are among the most decorated American units, and spent more time in combat in Europe than any other American regiment.
The French army awarded the Hellfighters with the Croix de Guerre, and notable soldiers from the regiment included Vertner Woodson Tandy, one of the founders of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, and Benjamin O. Davis Sr., who became the first African American general in U.S. Armed Forces during World War II.
When the Harlem Hellfighters returned home they were greeted with praise for their bravery during the war even during a time of racial segregation.
The program concluded with RNC Co-Chairman Sharon Day recognizing Commander Vincent D. McBeth with the Lincoln-Douglass Award for his impressive military service and loyalty to America’s veterans. The Lincoln-Douglass Award was named for Frederick Douglass and for the first Republican president.
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