'Harlem Hellfighters' honored with Congressional Gold Medal at U.S. Capitol

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WABC) -- Wednesday represented a long overdue day of recognition for a unit of more than 4,000 brave African American soldiers from New York who fought in World War I, known as the "Harlem Hellfighters."

At a ceremony on Wednesday afternoon at the U.S. Capitol, the granddaughter of a Hellfighter accepted a Congressional Gold Medal honoring the unit on behalf of all its descendants.

They were denied the chance to fight under U.S. command because of discrimination.

The Hellfighters were placed with French forces, spending 191 days in continuous active combat, and earning France's highest military honor.

Recognition in the U.S. didn't come until a Congressional Act in 2021.



Also on Wednesday, Mount Vernon's mayor hosted a wreath-laying ceremony in Brush Park to honor Corporal Morris D. Link, a Mount Vernon native killed while serving with the Hellfighters.



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