157th ''Red Hand '' Division
In 1917, America entered The Great War in Europe.
A part of the D.C. National Guard’s, the 1st Separate Battalion of Infantry was allocated to the French 157th “Red Hand” Division commanded by général Mariano Goybet during the war. The term “Red Hand” was bestowed upon the 157th due to its tenacity in combat and is still used today as a call sign in HHD, 372d Military Police Battalion. The 1st Separate Battalion (redesigned the 372d Infantry during the war) was awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French for service in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive.
In May 1918, General Goybet commanded the 157th Division, which had been decimated after the Chemin des Dames. It was reconstituted by putting together the 333rd Infantry Regiment (French) with the American 371st and the 372nd American Regiments.
The 157th Division participated in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. With violent attacks, General Goybet broke the enemy front at Monthois, taking many prisoners and considerable materiel. After that he occupied the Vosges at the front of Sainte Marie les Mines.
wikipedia : African-American_history
Distinguished service medal : General Mariano Goybet
PBS/video/history-detectives/ Red Hand Flag
Contexte du film / Tournage à New York 15-12-2017/ Lien vers le Script en Français
The U.S. armed forces remained segregated during World War I. Still, many African Americans eagerly volunteered to join the Allied cause following America's entry into the war. More than two million African-American men rushed to register for the draft. By the time of the armistice with Germany in November 1918, over 350,000 African Americans had served with the American Expeditionary Force on the Western Front.[132][133][134]
Most African American units were relegated to support roles and did not see combat. Still, African Americans played a significant role in America's war effort. Four African American regiments were integrated into French units because the French suffered heavy losses and badly needed men after three years of a terrible war. One of the most distinguished units was the 369th Infantry Regiment, known as the "Harlem Hellfighters", which was on the front lines for six months, longer than any other American unit in the war. 171 members of the 369th were awarded the Legion of Merit.[citation needed]
157th I.D. Red Hand flag[135] drawn by General Mariano Goybet
From May 1918 to November 1918, the 371st and the 372nd American Regiments were integrated under the 157th Red Hand Division[135] commanded by the French General Mariano Goybet. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army) by General Pershing.[136] The African American Regiments earned glory in the decisive final offensive in Champagne region of France. The two Regiments were decorated by the French Croix de Guerre for their gallantry in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive.[137] · [138]
December 12, 1918
General Order No. 245
"The red hand division during nine days of violent fight was always an exceptional model for the victorious advance of the fourth army. Dear Friends of America you will be back home to the other side of the ocean, don' t forget ‘’ The Red Hand Division."
"Our friendship has been cemented in the blood of the brave and such a link will be never destroyed Remember your General who is proud to have commanded you and be sure of his endless recognition. ."
General Goybet commanding the 157th Division. [139]
USA and Goybet"s Red Hand I.D.
Mariano Goybet and the Red hand
During World War I, the 372nd Infantry Regiment was composed of segregated National Guard units as well as draftees.[140]
Among these National Guard units, the 1st District of Columbia was re-designated the 1st Battalion of the 372nd Infantry
Enlisted men of the 1st Separate Battalion, an all African-American unit, examining weapons in the old army arms room prior to World War I
In 1917, fearing espionage, D.C. National Guard elements were mobilized 12 days before the U.S. officially entered World War I to protect reservoirs and power plants around District of Columbia Military officials were concerned that too many of the D.C. units were made up of men with foreign roots, thus the job of protecting vital facilities fell to the all-black 1st Separate Infantry, the only unit the military believed could be trusted with this mission.
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Colored messengers of Motorcycle Corps, 372nd Headquarters, who kept communication lines alive at all hours during the big drive in Champagne, Argonne and at Verdun.
Eventually the 1st Separate was mustered into active service and re-designated the 1st Battalion of the 372nd Infantry. In France, unsure of what to do with an African-American regiment, the 372nd was attached to the French Army's 157th "Red Hand" Division. The soldiers fought in Meuse-Argonne, Lorraine and Alsace, where they were awarded the Croix de Guerre—one of the highest honors bestowed by the French military. Général Goybet, the 157th commanding general, gave the unit a Red Hand insignia in honor of their service.
The red hand appears today on the crest of the 372nd Military Police Battalion. Although many D.C. National Guard units were mobilized, the 372nd was the only one to actually see combat during the war.[141].
The District of Columbia Army National Guard is the Army component of the District of Columbia National Guard. As the District of Columbia is a federal district and not a state, the guard is placed under the authority of the President of the United States, unlike most other National Guard units which are headed by their state's governor.
Distinctive unit Insignia: 372 MP Bn. Red hand on right side.
The 372nd Military Police Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI), commonly called a unit crest, visually portrays various aspects of the unit’s history and heritage. In the center, a shield with a blue background represents the Battalion’s origins as an Infantry unit. A gold-bordered scarlet bend—technically two “bendlets” and a bend—are from the coats of arms of Alsace and Lorraine and represent the unit’s service in those areas in World War I.
That service is also represented by the red hand, denoting the Battalion’s service with the French 157th “Red Hand” Division (inspired by the insignia worn by the French troops). Below the bend is a rattlesnake, recalling the unit’s service along the border in the months leading up to World War I. “We Guard The Peace” is the Battalion motto.
Corporal Freddie Stowers of the 371st Infantry Regiment was posthumously awarded a Medal of Honor—the first African American to be so honored for actions in World War I. During action in France, Stowers had led an assault on German trenches, continuing to lead and encourage his men even after being wounded twice. Stowers died from his wounds, but his men continued the fight on a German machine gun nest near Bussy farm in Champagne, and eventually defeated the German troops.[142]
Stowers' sisters, Georgina Palmer and Mary Bowens, with Barbara Bush and President George H.W. Bush at the Medal of Honor presentation ceremony
Stowers was recommended for the Medal of Honor shortly after his death, but according to the Army, the nomination was misplaced. Many believed the recommendation had been intentionally ignored due to institutional racism in the Armed Forces. In 1990, under pressure from Congress, the Defense Department launched an investigation. Based on findings from this investigation, the Army Decorations Board approved the award of the Medal of Honor to Stowers. On April 24, 1991–73 years after he was killed in action—Stowers' two surviving sisters received the Medal of Honor from President George H. W. Bush at the White House.[143]
Scott Book on African Américan troops
Movie The red hand-flag New york Seventh Regiment Armory Decembre 2007
WWI Symposium Huge Succes ! (Anglais)
USA and Goybet"s Red Hand I.D. (Anglais)
Good luck Mr Obama (Anglais)
.WIKIPEDIA /AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY
Archives USA GOV/publications/prologue/2017/winter/safe-for-democracy
World war centennial /Ephraim-rose-story-of-a-world-war-i-soldier-from-ohio
https://ebonydoughboys.org/index.html
Mariano Goybet and the Red hand ecrit par Henri Goybet
They deserve their own memorial . Ils meritent leur propre memorial
Men of honor : Freddie Stowers and Alvin York
Citation for the men of 157th Division
The following order was issued to the 157th Division following the campaign in the Champagne region:[4]
P. C. October 8, 1918.
"157th Division.
"Staff.
General Order No. 234
"In transmitting to you with legitimate pride the thanks and congratulations of the General Garnier-Duplessis, allow me, my dear friends of all ranks, Americans and French, to thank you from the bottom of my heart as a chief and a soldier for the expression of gratitude for the glory which you have lent our good 157th Division. I had full confidence in you but you have surpassed my hopes.
"During these nine days of hard fighting you have progressed nine kilometers through powerful organized defenses, taken nearly 600 prisoners, 15 guns of different calibres, 20 minenwerfers, and nearly 150 machine guns, secured an enormous amount of engineering material, an important supply of artillery ammunition, brought down by your fire three enemy aeroplanes.
"THE RED HAND", sign of the Division, thanks to you, became a bloody hand which took the Boche by the throat and made him cry for mercy. You have well avenged our glorious dead.
Signed General Goybet
