The 371st Infantry Regiment
WWI Monument
The 371st Infantry Regiment WWI Memorial Monument Association is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit created with the purpose of funding and placing a monument, to memorialize the service and sacrifice of the 371st Infantry Regiment in WWI.
Read the history of the 371st Infantry
We are pleased to announce that the board of the Gateway to the Army Association has approved the placement of the memorial monument in Fort Jackson’s Centennial Park. The 371st Infantry Regiment was formed at Camp Jackson (now Fort Jackson) in 1917, and, later, demobilized and deactivated there in 1919. Therefore, it is appropriate that the Regiment be honored at Fort Jackson.
The Story of the 371st Infantry Regiment
They were southern draftees sent into the bloody trenches of World War I. They came out as heroes – having earned numerous individual awards for bravery including the Distinguished Service Cross, Croix de Guerre, Legion of Honor, Médaille Militaire, and a Congressional Medal of Honor...
Awards & Recognition
For its extraordinary service in the Champagne offensive, the entire regiment was awarded the Croix de Guerre with Palm per the orders of General Petain, Marshal of France. They earned the respect of their battle-hardened French comrades and the officers with whom they served...
Sculptor Designer
The association has engaged distinguished sculptor, Maria Kirby-Smith of Camden to design, sculpt, and cast a monument to honor these African-American heroes. Maria has sculpted numerous statues of notable South Carolinians to include the 371st’s Medal of Honor awardee, Corporal Freddie Stowers of Sandy Springs, SC...
The Return to Columbia
Upon the Regiment’s return from France, the city of Columbia came together in support of the 371st. A mass meeting was held to launch a fundraising effort for a community reception at Allen University in honor of the 371st. The grand event was held on February 29, 1919. Now, almost 100 years later, another fundraising effort is needed to erect a monument to these heroes...
About Our Organization
The 371st Infantry Regiment WWI Memorial Monument Association is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit created with the purpose of funding and placing a monument, to memorialize the service and sacrifice of the 371st Infantry Regiment in WWI.
You too can honor them by donating to the memorial monument currently being commissioned.
An estimated $350,000 is needed to prepare a site and place a monument to these brave men.
Please be assured that the association will be good stewards of your donation and has established checks and balances for all financial activities. You donation is eligible to be deducted on your taxes as we have the 501(c)(3) status.
Upcoming Events
REMEMBER THE 371st INFANTRY REGIMENT THIS VETERANS DAY
In November of 1918, the 371st Infantry Regiment, serving with the French 157th (Red Hand) Division was in the Vosges Mountains conducting small offensive operations against the entrenched Germans. There was talk of an Armistice, but detailed orders were issued for a general advance on 11/14.
The 371st were lucky to have been serving with the French and received word of the Armistice sooner than US troops who continued to fight the morning of 11/11/18. A French radio operator rushed to the notify Captain Chester Heywood of Company K that an Armistice would be declared at 11AM. However, French artillery was booming to his rear and German machine guns were firing and grenades detonating to his front. He rushed to the front and saw Germans standing on their parapets waving their round field caps and cheering. All the firing had been celebratory and triggered by a red signal rocket signaling the Armistice. He said that there was no celebration in his small group, but they stood in dazed silence unable to believe that the war was over.
Help to remember these African American heroes by donating to their monument at: