The 371st and 372nd Regiments of Infantry were composed of drafted
troops and National Guard Organizations. Those of the former came
in a large measure from South Carolina, and were trained at Camp
Jackson in that State; while the latter organization was composed of
the first separate battalion of Washington, D. C., Company L, of the
Massachusetts N. G., the first separate company of the Connecticut
State Guard, the 9th separate battalion of Ohio, and other National
Guard troops from Tennessee and Maryland.
The 371st had a full quota of white commissioned officers, and colored
non-commissioned officers, while the 372nd had a mixture of white and
colored commissioned officers, with colored non-commissioned officers.
After some heroic service on the battlefields of France, the colored
commissioned officers became victims of the efficiency board, and at
one fell swoop, were nearly all removed.
These two regiments saw service together in France, and became noted
for their indomitable courage, and splendid fighting record.
On April 6, 1918, the 371st Infantry left our ports, and by April 26
was in the training area at Rembercourt-aux-Port, as an independent
unit of the 13th French Army Corps. Afterwards they became a supporting
regiment to the 68th French Division, where they remained until July
22, 1918. Between this date and September 14, 1918, they occupied the
Verrieres sub-sector. Here the regiment did exceptional work, their
front extending over a distance of more than five kilometers, always
holding their own ground and at one time half of the front of the 333rd
French Infantry on the left.
On September 14 the regiment was withdrawn from this sector and taken
to the area of Holitz-l’Eveque, Champagne, and were in reserve of the
9th Army Corps of the 4th French Army, at the beginning of the great
Champagne Offensive. During this great offensive the regiment suffered
tremendous losses under the blistering fire and onslaught of the enemy,
always carrying the attack forward in advance of the adjacent troops.
Their Division Commander in forwarding a recommendation for an army
citation for the regiment, remarked that they marched forward under
heavy artillery fire, without faltering, and without counting their
dead. Following is text of citation:
157TH DIVISION INFANTRY.
October 8th, 1918.
_From:_ Colonel Quillet, commanding the I. D.
_To:_ Colonel of the 371st U. S.
The Colonel commanding the I. D. has proposed your regiment for a
citation to the Army Corps with the following motive.
“Has shown during its first engagement the very best qualities of
bravery and audacity, which are the characteristics of shock troops.
“Under the command of Colonel Miles, it launched itself with a
superb spirit and admirable disregard of danger at the assault of
a position stubbornly defended by the enemy. It took by terrific
fighting under exceptionally violent machine-gun fire of the enemy
artillery, and its cruel losses, numerous prisoners, and secured
cannon, machine guns and important material.”
(Signed) T. C. QUILLET,
_Commanding the I. D._
The losses of the regiment during its period of service were 8 officers
killed and died of wounds, 42 wounded, and 1,055 enlisted men killed
and wounded, with a total of 28 missing.
The 372nd Infantry, was organized at Camp Stuart, and landed at
St. Nazaire, April 14, 1918. They spent five weeks in training at
Conde-en-Barrois, Meuse, as part of the 13th French Army Corps;
afterwards became attached to the 63rd French Division, the 35th French
Division, and finally on July 2, 1918, became a part of the 157th
French Division, to which the 371st Infantry also became attached.
For more than six months the regiment was on the front, taking part
in the great Champagne Offensive, and in the battles which centered
around Vanquois in the Argonne, and around Verdun, including Hill 304,
and Dead Man’s Hill. They were in the Vosges Mountains, along with the
371st, training for the Metz Offensive when the Armistice was signed.
On October 8, 1918, this regiment also received a citation from Colonel
Quillet. Following is its text: