The 371st Infantry of World War I with Sonya Hodges and Douglas Culbreth

Do you know about the African American 371st Infantry of World War I that fought in France?  Did you know that Sonya R. Hodges has dedicated her life to research and honor the men who fought in World War I to honor the memory of these dedicated soldiers?

Please join Sonya R. Hodges-Grantham and Douglas Culbreth for a discussion of the role played by the African American 371st Infantry Regiment in World War I to honor the memory of these dedicated soldiers.

The 371st Infantry Regiment, an African American unit of mostly South Carolinians came from small towns like Sandy Springs, Anderson, Edgefield, Ninety-six and Laurens.

The 371st was permitted to fight, after disembarking from their troop ship at a tiny French village in April of 1918 after learning that they had been transferred to the French army.  The 371st was given French equipment, and had to turn in their prized Springfield rifles for French rifles. The unit was reorganized to fit the French army structure and spent the spring of 1918 training in French tactics, communicated via interpreters. That summer, the regiment was put into the line to relieve exhausted French and allied Italian units.  

Sonya Renae Hodges- Grantham is a mother, grandmother, genealogist, author, graver, historian, and researcher, with a motto of "Get The Job Done and Get It Done Right". She is the Founder and President of the World War I - 371st Historical Society. She is  also the Founder of Cornbread Jubilee, an annual event that is held in honor of the corn crop, agriculture, and farming and Co-Founder of the Veterans Formation (1993) Columbia, South Carolina.  She is sole Restorer/Curator of Childs Cemetery in South Carolina and has also authored two books.