369th Regiment Armory

A Negro unit of the New York State National Guard is housed at the 369th Regiment Infantry Armory, Fifth Avenue and 143d Street. During the World War, the regiment (then the Fifteenth) received from the French Government a collective citation for conspicuous valor and the Croix de Guerre was pinned to the regimental colors. The regiment is headed(1939) by Colonel Benjamin O. Davis he and his son are the only Negro line officers in the United States Armory. ( New York City Guide pp 264-265)

In the 1920s, the 369th Regiment Armory was built, located in Harlem, New York City, it was made a year after the 369th Regiment's homecoming. The Armory was a very big structure reflecting both strength and architectural grandeur. The building was made mostly of brick and included crenelated parapets and turrets. Large, arched windows on the sturdy walls, provide a sense of fortification. The entrance was highlighted by a grand staircase leading up to a doorway,

The 369th Regiment, also known as the "Harlem Hellfighters," was an all African American infantry unit that gained fame during World War I for its bravery and combat prowess. The 369th had cemented its place in history as a symbol of African American military prowess and resilience. The 369th Regiment remained a source of immense pride for the Harlem community, symbolizing both the potential for African Americans to achieve greatness and the ongoing struggle for racial equality. The legacy of the Harlem Hellfighters continued to inspire future generations, reinforcing the cultural and historical significance of Harlem as a center of African American life and activism.

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