Nikko Washington’s painting Bronze Rattlers depicts members of the 369th Infantry Regiment Military Band. The 369th Infantry Regiment was an African American regiment in World War I and II. The regiment was legendary for many reasons, including their achievement of fighting in trench warfare for 191 days—longer than any other unit of the American military. They received many nicknames due to their prowess on the battlefield. The French dubbed them Men of Bronze because of their fighting skills. They were given the name Hellfighters by the enemy, and subsequently became known as the Harlem Hellfighters since they were mostly from New York City. According to legend, the 369th Infantry Regiment band was single handedly responsible for introducing Jazz music to Europe. After World War I, the band was celebrated in the United States, although the soldiers themselves suffered humiliating racism and were prohibited from enjoying the full rights and privileges of White Americans, despite their profoundly heroic contributions to victory in the war. “They went to war and then came home and were persecuted by their own country,” says Washington. “The only time they were welcome was when they were performing as a band.