[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 2, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E282]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE DIFFICULT CHALLENGES AND HEROISM OF BLACK VETERANS

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                               speech of

                           HON. LARRY KISSELL

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 24, 2010

  Mr. KISSELL. Mr. Speaker, a constituent of mine, Michael Lawson, 
recently told me about the little known role the first all black 
fighting regiment had during WWI.
  The 15th New York Infantry, ``The Harlem Hellfighters,'' later 
federally designated as the 369th Regiment Army. They served valiantly, 
including 191 days without a replacement and never lost a prisoner or a 
foot of ground. He said there had been no formal American recognition 
of the dedication and sacrifice of these young men. The French did 
recognize them with the Croix de Guerre, their highest military honor 
as well as a monument dedicated by a grateful French government.
  Michael knew all about the Harlem Hellfighters because his 
grandfather, MAJ Melville T. Miller, served more than 50 years in the 
U.S. Army through two World Wars and the Korean War. Major Miller began 
his service as a member of the unit when he was just 16 years old.

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