2-835-415 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

A commemorative Bronze Medal, produced in France in 1918, honoring the United States 371st Infantry Regiment. The 371st and 372nd U.S. Infantry Regiments were segregated African American regiments, nominally a part of the 93rd Division, that served in World War I under French Army command, and also in World War II. In both wars the units had primarily African American enlisted men and white officers. The sculptor of the medal was Jules-Prosper Legastelois, and it was produced by the firm of Henri Teterger, Paris. The obverse features a lion under a radiating star, beneath which lies the 371st Shield and a list of battles in which the regiment fought: COTE 188, Sept. 28, MONT FAUXELLES, SEPT. 29, FERME DE BRIERES, Oct. 1. The reverse bears the likeness of a soldier. Below is a field two people and a palmetto tree. Below the field a scroll contains the inscription "DULCE ET DECORUM EST PRO PATRIA MORI," which was the regimental motto.