Final answer:
The 369th Infantry, also known as the Harlem Hellfighters, earned their nickname through their bravery and resilience during World War I. Henry Johnson, a member of the regiment, became a war hero for his heroic actions during a German raid. He was the first American to receive the French Croix de Guerre.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 369th Infantry got the nickname "Harlem Hellfighters" due to their bravery and resilience during World War I. This African American regiment, made up mostly of soldiers from Harlem, New York, faced discrimination and segregation within the U.S. military. However, they earned the respect of their fellow soldiers and the French army while fighting on the front lines in France. The nickname "Hellfighters" was given to them by the Germans, highlighting their fierce and determined fighting spirit.
Henry Johnson was a member of the 369th Infantry and a war hero. He gained recognition for his heroic actions during a German raid on his post in the Argonne Forest in 1918. Johnson fought off multiple enemy soldiers, despite being severely wounded, and protected his injured comrade. He was the first American to receive the French Croix de Guerre, one of France's highest honors.
Learn more about The Harlem Hellfighters and Henry Johnson in World War I