World War I unit became known as 'the Fighting Black Devils' 

By Phil Reyburn
via the Quincy, IL Herald-Whig web site

Lt. Frank Robinson was a member of the 370th Infantry known as the “Black Devils.” He was awarded France's Croix de Guerre for his role in World War I. | Photo courtesy of the Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County When the early Chicago train pulled into Quincy's Burlington depot on Feb. 25, 1919, it was met by both a band and a cheering crowd. The Daily Whig reported that hundreds "of men and women of his own race and all the other citizens of Quincy" had come out to welcome Sgt. Emmett Thompson home from the World War. The Daily Herald recorded that "when Thompson swung down from the coach he was caught up by many willing hands."

For conspicuous bravery in France, Thompson, an African-American, had been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the U.S. military's second highest medal for valor. The Herald noted that Thompson was "the first Quincy boy to have this honor bestowed on him. . . ."

When war was declared on Germany, several Quincyans joined Thompson and Lt. Frank Robinson in enlisting in Danville's Company L of the Eighth Illinois National Guard Regiment. They had served together on the Mexican border and, until disbanded, in Quincy's all-black National Guard Company. The men were Ben Bryson, John Butler, Lloyd Longress, Dewain Carpenter, William Nichols, Henry Gay and Mason Perkins.

Quincy's Company I existed from June 1902 through April 15, 1915, and was part of the Eighth Illinois National Guard Infantry, "the only regiment of colored militiamen in the United States." A decision to locate two additional companies in Chicago resulted in the company's elimination.

Organized in 1895, the Eighth Illinois was first mustered into federal service for the Spanish-American War. However, from June 30 to Oct. 27, 1916, the regiment was federalized and saw service along the Mexican border. With the United States' entry into World War I in April 1917, the all-black Eighth Illinois was once again called to active duty July 25.

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