The Harlem Hellfighters: A Story of Bravery and Betrayal

podcast December 31, 1969

Hey Family, it’s King Kurus, the Black History Buff. Today, we’re diving into the story of the Harlem Hellfighters—a regiment of African American soldiers who proved their bravery on the battlefields of World War I but returned home to a nation that refused to honour their sacrifice.

Denied the chance to fight under their own flag, these men took up arms alongside the French, earning their highest military honour, the Croix de Guerre, for their unmatched courage. 191 days on the front lines. No ground lost. No men captured. Yet, when the war ended, the battles they faced were far from over.

Racism, segregation, and violence awaited them back home, a cruel reminder that the fight for dignity and equality was far from won. So, what happens when a country benefits from your service but refuses to acknowledge your worth? And how do we honour those who fought for a nation that didn’t fight for them?

That’s what I’m unpacking in this episode. But that’s what I think—what do you think? Drop your thoughts in the comments, share this episode, and if you want to support my work, join the Black History Village on Patreon.

Black History is World History. Stay Blessed.

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