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• FIGHTING SECRETARY” EDW. T. HANKS TELLS OF BRAVERY OF COLORED YANKEES IN |DRIVES AGAINST THE IIIJNSI“I just couldn’t tell about that buttle, it was the most stupendous affair human beings ever saw.”But in that battle, because he seized a service rifle and made two trips over the top and for other exploits in hattlc, E. T. Banks, Dayton’s only colored Y. M. C\ A. secretary who went overseas, was called* by men in his regiment thereafter, the fighting secretary.”It was the buttle of Argonne forest which continued fiercly for five days, during which time Banks abandoned his Y. M. C. A. hut and fought tet-a-tet,” as he says the French would put it, in the trenches with colored troops. He was not wounded, but he doesn’t know why he wasn’t.Banks arrived in the city Sunday evening after serving six months with the 3ti8th infantry, 92nd, or Buffalo division in France, where he was constantly under heavy lire until the armistice was signed.For Morale Spirit The Negro divisions were called Buffalo divisions because the American Indians called the Negroes buffalos. They called them buffalos because they never know wiien they were beaten in battle,” said Banks, “and they lived up to that name over there.” When asked why he left his hut and participated in battle with the soldiers Banks said he did il to keep up the morale among the men.We were out of supplies, there was no chocolate or cigarettes to give the soldiers, so I just pitched in with a gun and showed them that I was with them in spirit There is but one object in view when you go over the top, for men are mad then,” he said, and that Is to kill. I have forgotten everything else, but I shall never forget the sensation.Negro troops fought like mad men, Banks said, speaking of the valor of the colored men, they were great favorites among the French soldiers and civilians and the Germans respected them when prisoners.An unusual incident in the experiences of one Negro soldier taken prisoner by Germans was the fact that they permitted him to write a letter to his mpinin. The French drew no difference between the black heroes and themselves, they were always t.eated' royally in France. Many coir oied soldiers were cited for bravery, and an entire battalion of the 'Hell Fighters,’ the 15th regiment was given the Croix de guerre.’.'Jlie Hell Fighters paraded in New
Newspaper Details
The Dayton Forum
Dayton, Ohio, US
Fri, Feb 21, 1919
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Gina S.
USA 17 Jan 2025
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