2-832-120 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Lawrence McVey holding his son Lawrence McVey Jr. on his shoulder. McVey Sr. stands on a beach in front of a pier wearing a white shirt with a drawn skull and cross bones and dark shorts. An inscription on the top border reads: [10 mo. JR. - Daddy]. McVey served in the 369th United States Infantry, nicknamed the “Harlem Hellfighters,” the first African American regiment of troops to reach the battlefields of World War I. Upon completion of the 369th’s service in the war, the regiment had spent 191 days in combat, the longest of any American regiment. The entire 369th Regiment, in appreciation for their actions in the Maison-en-Champagne campaign, was given the Croix de Guerre, a medal awarded by the French Government for acts of bravery in conflicts against the enemy. In addition to this honor, 171 individual members of the 369th Regiment were awarded the Croix de Guerre and the Legion of Honor.