“God damn, let’s go!” That was the motto of the 369th Regiment. Nicknamed the “Harlem Hellfighters,” they were one of the first African American units to serve in World War I. They endured a record 191 days at the front—longer than any other American unit—and fought in the Second Battle of the Marne and later the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Sgt. William A. Butler (c.1891-1947) a resident of Salisbury, Maryland served in the regiment and distinguished himself during combat, earning a Distinguished Service Cross and the French Croix de Guerre. We salute these men and their service in honor of #BlackHistoryMonth. Image: James Reese Europe and the WWI Hellfighters Band, James Reese Europe and two other musician-soldiers, unknown photographer, 1919. Maryland Center for History and Culture, H. Furlong Baldwin Library, Eubie Blake Photograph Collection, PP301.325 #MarylandHistory #MDHistory #BlackHistory #HarlemHellfighters #WW1 #WorldWar1 #FirstWorldWar