By Mary Hoar, City of Yonkers Historian
Born 1898 in New Haven, Roland and his family moved to Nepperhan Street two years later. He attended School Two on Waverly Street; after graduation, he worked for National Conduit and Cable Works.
Roland joined the storied 15th NY National Guard Unit in 1917. His unit sailed to France that December.
The French Army needed immediate replacements, so the 15th NYNG Unit federalized, reorganized as the 369th and was assigned to a French Division at the front. This courageous unit served more time at the front, faced more continuous fire than any other American regiment! Although assigning the 369th to the French Army was “temporary,” these fierce, loyal and patriotic men did not serve under American command at any time in Europe. Yet they were the first company to plant our Flag at the battle front!
Witnessing the gallantry, intensity and courage of our men in the trenches, the French named them “Hommes de Bronze;” history calls these fierce soldiers the “Harlem Hellfighters!”
They fought aggressively in the Champagne-Marne Defensive. Quartermaster Sergeant Roland Francis brought supplies to the men under cover of night… while facing constant gunfire. A massive French counterattack, reinforced by hundreds of tanks and Allies, ended the German offensive in a few days.
The Aisne-Marne Offensive changed the war; advancing German troops didn’t stop, they retreated. Unfortunately, Francis was wounded during this campaign. The months-long Aisne-Marne Offensive was ended less than two weeks later by the November 11th Armistice.
The 369th was welcomed with cheers as they marched through France; the Kansas City Sun reported “no unit received a warmer greeting than when they marched through Lyons;” their bravery and courage changed the tide of the war.
Roland sailed home on La France early February 1919. Not only did he receive a Purple Heart and Victory Medals, the French government awarded him the Croix de Guerre and palm in 1919, an honor given to soldiers who distinguished themselves with significant heroism. His company received several citations.
On February 17th, 1919, 3,000 members of the 369th Infantry paraded up Fifth Avenue, walking the seven miles from 23rd to 145th Street to rousing cheers; this was the first chance Americans had to welcome home any of our brave Doughboys. According to the next day’s Herald Tribune, “Never have white Americans accorded so heartfelt and hearty a reception to a contingent of their black countrymen.” Reaching Harlem, home to 70% of the company, the cheers were deafening.
Back in Yonkers, Roland moved to Waverly Street and married Frances Bates in 1920. Together they created an incredible partnership of lifetime community service to Yonkers.
Roland became an active Republican, and a hard-working member of James H. Farrell Lodge #34, New York State Prince Hall Masons. He rose through the Mason ranks, and became Grand Master and District Deputy Grand Master of the Westchester and Rockland County District. He joined the Goodfellowship Lodge 53, Knights of Pythias, and became Chancellor Commander. A mainstay of Troop 34 Boy Scouts at School One, he was as Chairman of its Troop Committee.
He played tennis with the Alpha Tennis Club and exercised his basketball skills with the “All Stars.”
Concerned about his fellow veterans, Roland was the moving force behind creation of a Yonkers Black American Legion Post, the Samuel H. Dow Post 1017. Although some Yonkers’ posts had a few African American members, most Black war veterans didn’t join posts. When the Dow Post received its charter June 1929, it had more than 100 members; Roland was the first Post Commander.
Roland became involved in veterans’ causes, especially as a member of the Central Committee of Ex-Servicemen. Memorial Day 1931 was set aside to honor Civil War veterans (GAR). The Central Committee not only created a committee to support GAR efforts to plan and execute its day, they suggested the GAR Memorial Committee ask other organizations not to hold ceremonies during their parade. The Central Committee didn’t want any other group to overshadow the GAR.
A days later, Roland was one of the prominent residents appointed to the Mayor’s Committee planning Yonkers’ Independence Day celebration.
Roland was an integral part of the new Joint Relief Committee, created by all Yonkers veterans’ groups out of need. Its first act was submitting a petition to the Common Council, asking them to create a special fund to help veterans using municipal money. The NYS Legislature had passed a bill legalizing use of public money to help veterans. Not only did they get the fund, Yonkers hired wounded veteran Harold Thibault to manage the $10,000 relief fund.
Again, working with the Joint Relief Committee, Roland helped create a toy depot for veterans’ children. Funded by veterans, the depot on New Main Street was open through Christmas Eve, well stocked with books, toys and gifts for children.
In 1933, Cook Post 321, American Legion, honored commanders of other posts; Roland Francis was one of the esteemed guests.
A few weeks later, Samuel H. Dow Post was honored at the Elks Flag Day ceremony at Memorial Park. Harlem Congressman and World War I veteran Joseph Gavagan inspired attendees by retelling the story of our emblem of liberty, the American flag. Beginning with Washington’s understanding of the patriots’ need to have a symbol to fight under and Betsy Ross creating the flag at Washington’s request, he ended by telling the story of the first time the flag flew at the Battle of Brandywine.
While presenting the American Flag to Commander Francis, Gavagan declared giving him the flag was “one of the finest things” he (Gavagan) had ever done. Nathan Pollard thanked him afterwards and spoke about the courage and patriotism our Black soldiers showed fighting in the World War.
Roland retired as Commander of the Samuel H. Dow Post in 1937; 500 people attended the dinner held in his honor. Besides local officials, VFW delegations from throughout Westchester, Manhattan, Brooklyn and New Jersey attended to witness Dow Post present the retiring commander a ring, a symbol of their appreciation.
Mr. and Mrs. Francis were active members of Bethany Lutheran Church. Roland served as church clerk and ran fundraising campaigns to pay the mortgage; it was retired in 1951. He also served several years as President of the Bushey Avenue Home Owners Association.
Roland took the test to become a mail carrier and was appointed to the Yonkers South Post Office in 1931, where he worked for 31 years.
Typical of Roland, he wanted to serve his country during WWII, to do his part to “bring our boys home.” He joined the Yonkers Police Auxiliary in 1942.
Roland Francis’ life of service ended October 10, 1962, a loss to all Yonkers.
On the first anniversary of his passing, Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church honored his memory by dedicating a sterling silver communion wafer box, handmade in England, to celebrate his life of devotion to his church, to Veterans and to Yonkers.
In August 2021, 102 years after its triumphant return to New York, the 369th Infantry, Roland Francis’ regiment, was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, to express the nation’s appreciation for their courage and bravery.
