Memorial to the American 15th Regiment New York (Coloured) / French 369th IR. The 369th regiment (originally 15th New York) were recruited in 1916.Forbidden to join the 'Rainbow Division' - black is not a colour of the Rainbow. When they arrived in France they were loaned to the French (who already had colonial troops )and they became one of the most decorated formations with 171 individual medals, inlcuding a Unit Croix de Guerre. The spent 191 days in combat (more than any other US unit) and claimed never to have lost a man taken prisoner but were never attached to the US Army. Many of the men were musicians and amongst them was James Reese Europe. The CO Colonel Hayward asked Reese to form a band which became known as the Harlem Hellfighters Band. This band is credited with really helping to popularize jazz in Europe. The made some of the earliest recordings of classics such as Memphis Blues, Darktown Strutters Ball, Ja-Da & Hesitating Blues.