369th Infantry Regiment, the Harlem Hellfighters, receive Congressional Gold Medal for WWI heroism

One of the most heroic units in American military history was in honored in New York and Washington, D.C., Wednesday. 

Tributes were held for the 369th Infantry Regiment, the Harlem Hellfighters. 

At Mount Vernon's Brush Park, a wreath-laying ceremony honored Cpl. Morris Link, a Mount Vernon resident who fought valiantly with the Harlem Hellfighters during World War I in France and died in combat. 

The all-Black Harlem Hellfighters were known for their unmatched courage. They served 191 days in continuous combat, more than any other American unit. 

When they came home, they were largely forgotten. 

"And it's not a pleasant story. Many of them died in poverty, had medical issues, were not granted medical services by the military, came home to very Jim Crow and segregationist, and many of them died in poverty," said Lt. Col. (Ret.) Francis Kairson, Jr., a former commander with the 369th Regiment. 

In Washington, the Harlem Hellfighters were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. Families of the famed Hellfighters were there to accept the tribute. 

"They sacrificed. And they thought they were making a difference. And today proves that they did," Debra Willett, a descendent of a Harlem Hellfighter, said.

Rep. Tom Suozzi told CBS News New York he first learned about Sgt. Leander Willett in 2019 after speaking with his grandchildren and helped get him a posthumous Purple Heart.

"[I] then went on to introduce this Congressional Gold Medal Act because he's far from the only Hellfighter who had gone far too long without recognition," Suozzi said. "The Harlem Hellfighters gave everything for America in a time when America refused to honor their sacrifice. This medal is a small part of our effort to remember them, and say 'thank you.'"

The Congressional Gold Medal is one of the nation's highest honors - fitting, and long overdue. 

"But the Harlem Hellfighters were one of a kind. They were brave, bold and beguiling patriots who loved America, even when America didn't show the same love to them," House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries said. 

"They faced persistent persecution and discrimination in the ranks, but they swore an oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States. And they kept that oath with their lives," Speaker of the House Rep. Mike Johnson said.

The Harlem Hellfighters changed history, and now their courage and patriotism will live on forever.