Explore Black History

1917

Corporal Lawrence McVey served with the 369th Infantry Company D during World War I, fighting in the Battles of Champagne-Marne Defensive, Meuse-Argonne Offensive, D’Afrique and Calvin Defensive Sectore. Due to racial tension within the US Army, the 369th Infantry Regiment was assigned to the French Army for the duration of US involvement in World War I. Formed from the 15th New York National Guard Regiment and nicknamed the “Harlem Hellfighters,” the 369th was the first African American regiment to reach the battlefields of World War I and the first Allied troops to reach the banks of the Rhine. Upon completion of the 369th’s service in the war, the regiment had spent 191 days in combat, the longest of any American regiment. In appreciation for their actions in the Maison-en-Champagne campaign, the 369th was awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French Government for acts of bravery in conflicts against the enemy. In addition to this honor, 171 individual members of the 369th Regiment were awarded the Croix de Guerre and the Legion of Honor. Corporal McVey was awarded the Croix de Guerre and the Purple Heart for bravely leading his squad in an attack against a nest of machine guns at Sechault, September 29, 1918. The 369th Regiment finished their service in Europe and returned to the US in February 1919.

Panoramic black-and-white photograph of D Company, 369th regiment at Camp Merritt, New Jersey during World War I, owned by Cpl. Lawrence McVey. The photograph is titled, [Co. D. 15th, N.Y. / CAMP MERRITT NJ 1917.]. The Company is pictured in three rows, the top row standing, the middle row kneeling, and the bottom row seated with their knees bent, ankles crossed in front. The men are wearing military uniforms and a few men in the front row are holding their rifles. There are handwritten [x]s above and on top of some of the men in blue and black ink. On the bottom left and right of the image, there is text in white that cannot currently be seen in its condition. Buildings and trees can be seen in the background.
The photograph had been rolled and is in extremely delicate condition. There are multiple tears and areas of loss throughout. The border is covered in scotch tape that has failed in areas and broken.

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Photographs and Still Images

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Gina R. McVey, Granddaughter

National Museum of African American History and Culture

2011.108.1

gelatin silver prints

Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Object Name • Panoramic photographic print of D Company, 369th regiment at Camp Merritt

nmaahc_2011.108.1

NMAAHC

PANORAMIC PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINT OF D COMPANY, 369TH REGIMENT AT CAMP MERRITT

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

1910s • 1914-1918

McVey,, Lawrence Leslie • 369th Infantry Regiment

United States • North and Central America • Bergen County • New Jersey

Photography • WW I • World War, 1914-1918 • Military

County • Bergen County • State • New Jersey • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America

Images

No Known Copyright Restrictions