African American Military History. First Edition History of the 805th Pioneer Infantry “Bearcats” Documenting Black AEF Service in World War I, 1919.

805th Pioneer Infantry American Expeditionary Forces

First Edition

Victory: History of the 805th Pioneer Infantry by Paul S. Bliss, published in 1919, documents the service of an African American regiment of the American Expeditionary Forces during the final year of World War I. The volume records the organization, deployment, and wartime duties of the 805th Pioneer Infantry, a Black regiment formed during the rapid expansion of the United States Army in 1918. Composed of African American enlisted soldiers serving under white officers in a segregated military structure, the regiment deployed to France during the closing phase of the war and performed engineering, construction, and logistical work in areas affected by active combat operations. Regimental histories such as this were produced soon after the war to preserve the institutional record of individual units and to commemorate the contributions of the soldiers who served within them.

Bliss, Paul S. Victory: History of the 805th Pioneer Infantry, American Expeditionary Forces. St. Paul, Minnesota: Paul S. Bliss, 1919. First edition. The book presents rosters, portraits, and photographs documenting the regiment’s organization and activities while serving in France. The 805th Pioneer Infantry was organized at Camp Funston, Kansas in July 1918 and deployed overseas during the Meuse Argonne campaign. Although classified as a pioneer unit responsible for construction and engineering tasks, the regiment often worked in forward operational areas exposed to enemy fire. Photographs in the volume depict companies of the regiment in formation, including an image titled “Company C at Brieulles sur Meuse,” along with scenes of soldiers repairing damaged structures, posing with captured German artillery, and assembling for inspection during a visit by General John J. Pershing. Portrait collages identify numerous enlisted men and officers of the regiment, while an illustrated frontispiece portrays African American soldiers advancing with fixed bayonets across a shell damaged battlefield landscape.

Regiments such as the 805th Pioneer Infantry formed part of the broader mobilization of African American soldiers during World War I, when more than 350,000 Black men served in the United States Army in segregated units. Pioneer infantry regiments were frequently assigned labor and engineering duties supporting front line operations, including road construction, trench repair, and logistical supply work. Printed regimental histories produced after the war served as commemorative records preserving the service of these units and documenting the participation of African American soldiers in the American Expeditionary Forces. Volume bound in original embossed leather boards with gilt and blind stamped decoration and heavy card stock leaves printed on recto only. Includes color printed pages depicting regimental and national flags. Spine worn and partially split with rubbing to board edges and scattered foxing and toning to leaves; contents remain intact. Overall good condition. The book provides an extensive visual and documentary record of an African American regiment serving in the United States Army during World War I.

Item #21695

Price: $1,250.00