Description

157th French ID/372 US ID Red Hand, WWI Tribute Patch

Collectors!  Enjoy this tribute patch the the men of the 157th Division and the 372nd Infantry Regiment who bravely fought in the 1st World War.

• 3 inches
• PVC/Hook and Loop
• US Naval Aviator Owned Business

The 372nd Infantry Regiment was a segregated African American regiment, nominally a part of the 93rd Division, that served in World War I under French Army command, and also in World War II.[2] In World War II the regiment was not attached to a division, and served in the continental United States (CONUS) and Hawaii.[1] In both wars the unit had primarily African American enlisted men and white officers.

On arrival in France, as this unit was transferred into the French command, its decorations are French rather than American. This unit was extremely well decorated, receiving both unit and numerous individual citations including the Croix de Guerre and Légion d’Honneur. Corporal Clarence Van Allen won the Médaille militaire one of a few Americans to do so.

The following order was issued to the 157th Division following the campaign in the Champagne region:[4]

P. C. October 8, 1918.

“157th Division.

“Staff.

General Order No. 234

“In transmitting to you with legitimate pride the thanks and congratulations of the General Garnier-Duplessis, allow me, my dear friends of all ranks, Americans and French, to thank you from the bottom of my heart as a chief and a soldier for the expression of gratitude for the glory which you have lent our good 157th Division. I had full confidence in you but you have surpassed my hopes.

“During these nine days of hard fighting you have progressed nine kilometers through powerful organized defenses, taken nearly 600 prisoners, 15 guns of different calibres, 20 minenwerfers, and nearly 150 machine guns, secured an enormous amount of engineering material, an important supply of artillery ammunition, brought down by your fire three enemy aeroplanes.

“THE RED HAND”, sign of the Division, thanks to you, became a bloody hand which took the Boche by the throat and made him cry for mercy. You have well avenged our glorious dead.

Signed General Goybet