805th Pioneer Infantry

805th Pioneer Infantry was an all-African American infantry regiment of the United States Army during World War I. The 805th contained black soldiers from the state of Mississippi. The regiment landed in France in July 1918 and served in Europe until July 1919; the division saw 39 days of action.

Entertainment and sports
During World War I, the regiment was nicknamed the "Bear Cats." A commander, Colonel Chauncey Benton Humphrey (1872–1958) (USMA 1898), boasted that, among other things, his Bear Cats had "the best Jazz band in France," "the best vaudeville show in the American Expeditionary Forces, and the best baseball team of any outfit in France."

Notable personnel

 * Moses Hardy (1894–2006), Supercentenarian, served in the 805th during World War I
 * Billy Higgins (1888–1937), vaudeville comedian, songwriter served in the 805th during World War I, rising to the rank of Color Sergeant
 * Joseph D. Patch (1885–1966), commanded the regiment's 1st Battalion from December 1918 to June 1919; major general during World War II