Harlem Hellfighters Poster

This Harlem Hellfighters Poster is a tribute to the 369th Infantry Regiment of the United States Army — an African American unit that served with extraordinary distinction during World War I. Many of its soldiers came from Harlem, New York, and from communities across the nation, answering a call to serve a country that still denied them equality.

Because of racial segregation within the U.S. Army, the regiment was assigned to fight under French command. Issued French helmets and weapons, they entered the trenches not as replacements, but as frontline soldiers. They would go on to spend 191 days in continuous combat — more than any other American unit in the war.

The Harlem Hellfighters fought in major campaigns along the Western Front and earned a reputation among the French for fierce determination and unbreakable resolve. Their courage was so profound that many members of the regiment were awarded the French Croix de Guerre for heroism.

Though they returned home to a segregated nation, their legacy could not be contained. The Harlem Hellfighters became a symbol of African American patriotism, excellence, and sacrifice — and a powerful force in the long struggle for civil rights in the United States.

This poster is an original illustration by S.C. James of Union Design Company, created in a retro style inspired by early 20th-century war-era propaganda art. It honors a unit that fought two wars at once — one overseas, and one at home.