[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 71 (Monday, May 23, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E928]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        REMEMBERING THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN 371ST INFANTRY REGIMENT

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                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 23, 2011

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, the 371st Infantry 
Regiment was formed in August 1917 and consisted of African-American 
draftees mostly from South Carolina and white officers. After training 
at Camp Jackson, the unit arrived on the Western Front in April 1918. 
It was placed under the command of the French Army because of their 
desperate need for new troops, and because of racial tensions within 
the U.S. army. The 371st soldiers were given French equipment and 
reorganized to fit the French army structure. They spent the spring of 
1918 training in French tactics and units.
  The 371st was then thrown into the ``Final Offensive'' of the Great 
War in September. Though fighting well, they suffered heavy casualties: 
over 1,000 men out of 2,384 were lost in eight days. On September 28, 
1918, just six weeks before the end of World War I, Corporal Freddie 
Stowers (21) of Sandy Springs, SC was killed, leading the remnants of 
his company to capture German positions after an ambush. After feigning 
surrender the Germans opened up with machine gun and mortar fire, 
instantly destroying over half of the company. Stowers rallied the 
survivors and led them to knock out one machine gun nest, and though 
mortally wounded, urged them on to capture a second trench line to stop 
the threat and cause heavy enemy casualties. His commanding officer 
recommended him for the Medal of Honor.
  Vice-Admiral Moreau, on behalf of the French Government, decorated 
the regimental colors on January 27, 1919, in Brest. The 371st won the 
French Legion of Honor and the Croix de Guerre. The American 
Distinguished Services Cross was awarded to ten officers and twelve 
enlisted men.
  Upon the 371st Regiment's return to Columbia, SC, the community 
worked together to fundraise for a reception honoring the soldiers. The 
event was held on February 29, 1919 at Allen University. The two flags 
of the 371st Regiment were presented to the community during the 
reception. These flags are part of the South Carolina Confederate Relic 
Room and Military Museum's collection.
  With the war over, the unit was disbanded and the achievements of the 
371st quickly faded. Fortunately, this was not the end of the story. 
The Medal of Honor nomination for Freddie Stowers languished for 70 
years but in 1988, several members of Congress began campaigning on 
behalf of African-American World War I soldiers not properly 
recognized. Stowers became the first African-American soldier from 
World War I to earn the medal.

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