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African American WWI Military Service

Smithsonian collections document the patriotic service of African Americans throughout our Nation's history, from the American Revolution up to today. At the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the exhibition Double Victory: The African American Military Experience provides visitors a valuable overview. You can read a story from the National Museum of American History about a member of the storied 92nd Division "Buffalo Soldiers" who survived the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, the ultimate battle of the War, which claimed 26,000 American lives.


Theodore M. Sullivan's Purple Heart Medal

Photographic postcard of Cpl. Lawrence Leslie McVey in uniform

French Croix de Guerre medal issued to Cpl. Lawrence Leslie McVey

Photograph of Bosey E. Vick

World War I enlisted soldier's tunic and cigarette holder

Insignia shoulder patch for the 92nd Infantry Division

Photographic portrait of Lt. Charles J. Blackwood

World War I Croix de Guerre medal awarded to the 369th Infantry Regiment

Camouflaged Barracks for Colored Troops, Airing the Bedding on Sunday

Framed photograph of an unidentified WWI sailor

Binoculars used by Peter L. Robinson, Sr. during World War I

Combat helmet from World War I used by the 93rd Infantry Division

Photographic postcard of WWI soldier with rifle

Peter L. Robinson, Sr.

Bronze Medal honoring the 371st Infantry

Poster for The Flying Ace

Photographic postcard of WWI soldier with French and American flags

Photographic postcard of three WWI soldiers

Photographic postcard of WWI soldier

Framed photograph of unidentified WWI soldier

The Colored Man is No Slacker

Photographic postcard of WWI soldier

Photographic postcard of WWI soldier with quartermaster PFC patch

1915 Mauser Gewehr 98 Bolt Action Rifle

M1917 Revolver issued by US Army during WWI to Charles H. Houston

Photographic postcard of WWI soldiers

World War I Gold Star Mothers Pilgrimage Medal issued to Mrs. Margaret A. Neal

Photographic postcard of two WWI soldiers

Photographic postcard of soldiers in World War I at Verdun

Handmade "For Liberty Engineers" sweetheart gift from World War I

"Big Nims" - 366 Inf. Ainvelle, Vosges, France, Aug 8, 1918

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