The Author
Perry W. James IV
U.S. Navy veteran. World War I historian. Presenter. Reenactor. Author.
Portrait: © King Street Studios, courtesy of the Daniel Island Historical Society
Perry W. James IV has led the SGT. RAWHIDE project since 2018, preserving and sharing the story of his grandfather, Sgt. Perry Loyd, and the soldiers of the 371st Infantry Regiment. He is the author of the historical novel HILL 188, featuring SGT. RAWHIDE.
His connection
- Namesake
- Grandson and namesake of Sgt. Perry Loyd of the 371st Infantry Regiment, the fourth generation in his family to carry the name Perry.
- October 13, 2018
- Accepted his grandfather’s posthumous Purple Heart at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, on the family’s behalf.
How we verified thisHide the sources
Sources: the biography supplied by Perry W. James IV, and for the 2018 ceremony, U.S. Army (army.mil), "100 Years Later, WWI Soldier Awarded Purple Heart," article 212701 (opens in a new tab, leaves the Sergeant Rawhide site), Military.com (Associated Press, October 15, 2018) (opens in a new tab, leaves the Sergeant Rawhide site), WIS-TV (2018) (opens in a new tab, leaves the Sergeant Rawhide site), World War I Centennial Commission (worldwar1centennial.org), "A Purple Heart for Sergeant Loyd" (opens in a new tab, leaves the Sergeant Rawhide site).
See the grandfather he is named forHide the photograph
Archival portrait. Sgt. Perry "Rawhide" Loyd's family identifies this soldier as Sgt. Loyd himself. His service file was destroyed in the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center, so no record survives to match a photograph against; the identification is the family's own and is recorded here as theirs.
Preserving the 371st
The 371st was an African-American regiment that fought under French command in 1918. Perry brings its story to audiences in person, presenting in replica World War I uniform alongside the Ebony Doughboys.
Hear him tell it
In his own words: Coming from Perry.
VideoCreation Grounds40:01Ep. 60 - Perry James - Family Roots, Family Member World War 1 Hero? & Historical NovelCreation Grounds · November 11, 2021 · 40:01The only long-form interview with the author: his family history, his search, and the novel.Hear Perry tell the storyThe novel
HILL 188
HILL 188 is his historical novel, featuring SGT. RAWHIDE.
Presenting the 371st
Perry has presented the story of the 371st to historical organizations, schools, churches, community audiences, and groups including the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Daniel Island Historical Society.
His usual talk, titled for each audience, is “SGT. RAWHIDE and the 371st Infantry Regiment of WWI” and runs 20 to 30 minutes. Uniform and rifles are available for indoor events upon request.
- February 14, 2026: Black History Month Weekend Speaker Series, Boone Hall Plantation. Source (opens in a new tab, leaves the Sergeant Rawhide site)
- February 17, 2026: "The Men of the 371st", Church of the Holy Spirit Parish Hall, Daniel Island, South Carolina. Source (opens in a new tab, leaves the Sergeant Rawhide site)
More about PerryShow less about Perry
Before focusing on this historical work, Perry built a long career in business, technology, government services, and organizational leadership, including leadership roles with Honeywell, L3 Communications, Big Wheels Foundation, and PeJas, Inc., a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business that provided IT and technical contract services. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Technical Management from DeVry University. He is based in Charleston County, South Carolina.
Sourced from Perry James's own LinkedIn profile, exported and supplied by the site owner.
Story progress: 4 of 5, The Legacy
Continue the story
SGT. RAWHIDE, the Book
The full story, told at length by the grandson who lived its recovery.