Private Harry W. Hatcher

Title

Private Harry W. Hatcher

Description

  • 93rd Division, 372nd Infantry Regiment, Company E, World War I
  • Harry Hatcher was drafted into the army on October 26, 1917. His military training was in segregated facilities at Camp Stewart, Newport News. His unit arrived in France in March 1918 where they unloaded supply ships.  Eighty percent of the African Americans who served during World War I served in labor or supply units.  The US government did not want African Americans serving with white soldiers. Later, the French Army welcomed the 372th Regiment to help defeat the Germans.  Harry Hatcher died October 8, 1918, in a fierce battle with the Germans.  He was buried in France.

Source

Silent Heroes National History Day: https://nhdsilentheroes.org/gallery/?war=world-war-i

Citation

“Private Harry W. Hatcher,” Fairfax County African American History Inventory, accessed October 24, 2026, https://fairfaxaahi.centerformasonslegacies.com/items/show/392.