A senate RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE February 28, 2023 AS "371st infantry day" IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, 371st Infantry "Colored" Regiment was formed in August 1917 and consisted of African American draftees, mostly from South Carolina, with additional members from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, other southern states, and elsewhere, including Maryland and Pennsylvania. They were commanded by white officers, mainly from the South; and

Whereas, after training and being deemed the best-drilled unit at Camp Jackson, the 371st arrived on the Western Front in April 1918. It was placed under the command of the French Army due to their desperate need for new troops and because of the feeling that the French could better integrate Black soldiers; and

Whereas, after training in the new French equipment and tactics, on June 12, 1918, the 371st went into the trenches as part of the veteran 157th "Red Hand" division. The 371st remained in the line for over three months, holding first the Avocourt and later the Verrières subsectors northwest of Verdun; and

Whereas, the 371st was then taken out of the line and thrown into the great September 1918 offensive in the Champagne. It took Côte 188, Bussy Ferme, Ardeuil, Montfauxelles, and Trieres Ferme near Monthois. The regiment captured many German prisoners, forty-seven machine guns, eight trench engines, three field pieces, a munitions depot, many railroad cars, and enormous quantities of lumber, hay, and other supplies; and

Whereas, the 371st shot down three German airplanes by rifle and machine-gun fire during the advance. The regiment was one of the most forward units of the attacking army in this great battle and sustained heavy losses and injuries; and

Whereas, displaying his admiration for the determination and character of the soldiers of the 371st, Major Ben Pate wrote "I am sorry if I neglected to tell you that the 371st is a 'Colored' Regiment for I am certainly not ashamed of the fact and doubt if we have an officer that is"; and

Whereas, upon the return of the 371st Regiment, the City of Columbia came together to support the heroes. A mass meeting was held at Sidney Park Church to launch a fundraising effort for a community reception at Allen University. The grand event was held on February 29, 1919. Governor Robert Archer Cooper and African American community leaders, including I.S. Leevy and C.A. Johnson, spoke in honor of the regiment; and

Whereas, the two flags of the 371st Regiment were presented to the community. These flags are now part of the flag collection of the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum; and

Whereas, the 371st Infantry Regiment displayed honor and bravery in their service to the people and the State of South Carolina and to the nation. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize February 28, 2023 as "317st Infantry Day" in South Carolina.

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