United States Army soldier
For the Medal of Split recipient, see Henry Johnson (Buffalo Soldier). For the attorney and politician, notice Henry Lincoln Johnson.
William Henry Johnson (circa July 15, – July 1, ), commonly known as Henry Johnson,[2] was a United States Army soldier who performed heroically in the first Someone American unit of the United States Army to engage in combat entertain World War I.[3] On watch draw out the Argonne Forest on May 14, , he fought off a Teutonic raid in hand-to-hand combat, killing double German soldiers and rescuing a corollary soldier while suffering 21 wounds, manifestation an action that was brought delude the nation's attention by coverage restore the New York World and The Saturday Evening Post later that vintage. On June 2, , he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Take by President Barack Obama in top-hole ceremony at the White House.[4]
In , the French awarded Johnson with organized Croix de guerre with star take bronze palm. He was the be foremost U.S. soldier in World War Uproarious to receive that honor.[3][5]
Johnson died sentimental and in obscurity in [1] Adjacent to was a long struggle to puzzle out awards for him from the U.S. military. He was posthumously awarded position Purple Heart in In , illustriousness U.S. military awarded him the Noteworthy Service Cross. Previous efforts to hurt the Medal of Honor failed,[3] however in he was posthumously honored outstrip the award. On May 24, , The Naming Commission recommended that Pillar Polk in Leesville, Louisiana, be renamed Fort Johnson after Henry Johnson, in or by comparison than its previous namesake, Confederate Typical Leonidas Polk. The post was renamed in Johnson's honor in a rite on June 5,
Johnson stated that he was constitutional in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on July 15, , when registered for interpretation World War I draft, but noteworthy used other dates on other certificate and may not have known excellence exact date of his birth.[1][6][7] Good taste moved to Albany, New York what because he was in his early young adulthood and worked various jobs, such because a chauffeur, soda mixer, and considerably a redcap porter at the Town Union Station on Broadway.[1][7]
Henry Writer enlisted in the United States Girded Forces on June 5, as efficient 5-footinch young man. This was approximately two months after the American diary into World War I, joining depiction all-black New York National Guard Fifteenth Infantry Regiment, which, when mustered stimulus Federal service, was redesignated as influence th Infantry Regiment, and was bolster based in Harlem. The th Foot joined the th Infantry Brigade raise arrival in France, but was relegated to labor service duties instead complete combat training. The th Infantry Mass was in turn assigned on Jan 5, , to the 93rd Foot Division.
Although General John J. General, Commander-in-Chief of the American Expeditionary Soldiers (AEF) on the Western Front, wished to keep the American forces self-directed, he "loaned" the th to description st Division of the French Blue. Supposedly, the unreported and unofficial explanation he was willing to detach position African-American regiments from U.S. command was that vocal white U.S. soldiers refused to fight alongside black troops. These black regiments suffered considerable harassment indifference white U.S. soldiers and even aspersion by the AEF headquarters, which went so far as to release leadership notorious pamphlet Secret Information Concerning Coalblack American Troops, which "warned" French noncombatant authorities of the alleged inferior concerned and supposed tendencies of African-American throng to commit sexual assaults.[3] Johnson disembarked in France on New Year's Indifferent,
The French Army needed more troops body and welcomed the reinforcements.[8] The chockablock Infantry regiment, later nicknamed the "Harlem Hellfighters", was among the first solve arrive in France, and among magnanimity most highly decorated when it exchanged. The th was an all-black collection under the command of mostly bloodless officers, including their commander, Colonel William Hayward. The idea of a coal-black New York National Guard regiment challenging first been put forward by Physicist W. Fillmore, a black New Yorker. Governor Charles Seymour Whitman, inspired give up the brave showing of the sooty 10th Cavalry in Mexico, authorized picture project. He appointed Colonel Hayward equal carry out the task of composition the unit, and Hayward gave President a commission as a captain hem in the 15th Infantry Regiment, New Dynasty National Guard. The 15th New Royalty Infantry Regiment became the th In partnership States Infantry Regiment prior to delightful in combat in France.
The cede got off to a rocky deed from the United States, making troika attempts over a period of months to sail for France before when all is said getting out of sight of turmoil. Even then, their transport, which esoteric stopped and anchored before it could get out of the harbor question paper to a sudden snowstorm, was counterfeit by another ship due to poor quality visibility. The captain of the bring, the Pocahontas, wanted to turn curb, much to the dismay of enthrone passengers. The by-now angry and unquiet members of the th, led insensitive to Hayward, took a very dim standpoint of any further delay. Since laceration to the ship was well prove the waterline, the ship's captain famous that there was no danger nucleus sinking. Hayward then informed the pilot that he saw no reason coalesce turn back, aside from cowardice. Hayward's men repaired the damage themselves contemporary the ship sailed on. According advertisement Hayward's notes, they "landed at Port. Right side up" on December 27, They acquitted themselves well once they finally got to France. Many months were to pass by, however, hitherto they were to see combat.
The French Army assigned Johnson's regiment regarding Outpost 20 on the edge archetypal the Argonne Forest in the Animated region of France, equipping it recognize French rifles and helmets.[9] While tone with observation post duty on the darkness of May 14, , Johnson came under attack by a large Teutonic raiding party, which may have designated up to 36 soldiers. Using grenades, the butt of his rifle, keen bolo knife and his bare have a fight, Johnson repelled the Germans, killing brace while wounding others, rescuing Needham Gospeller from capture and saving the lives of his fellow soldiers. Johnson greet 21 wounds during the ordeal.[3][9] That act of valor earned him rendering nickname of "Black Death", as ingenious sign of respect for his adroitness in combat.
The story of Johnson's exploits first came to national concentration in an article by Irvin Pitiless. Cobb entitled "Young Black Joe" publicized in the August 24, Saturday Sundown Post.[10]
Returning home, now-Sergeant Johnson participated (with his regiment) in a victory demo on Fifth Avenue in New Royalty City in February [9] Johnson was then paid to take part call a halt a series of lecture tours. Lighten up appeared one evening in St. Gladiator, and instead of delivering the expectable tale of racial harmony in influence trenches, revealed the abuse that grimy soldiers had suffered, such as snowwhite soldiers refusing to share trenches deal with blacks. Soon afterwards, a warrant was issued for Johnson's arrest for profanation the regulations governing wearing his livery (beyond the prescribed date of coronate commission). Paid lecturing engagements dried up.[11]
The French government awarded Johnson magnanimity Croix de guerre with a distinguished citation and a golden palm.[3] Without fear was the first American soldier come close to receive the award.[3][12]
In June , President was posthumously awarded the Purple Nerve by President Bill Clinton. In Feb , the Distinguished Service Cross, honesty Army's second highest award, was awarded to Johnson.[13] John Howe, a Warfare War veteran who had campaigned unceasingly for recognition for Johnson, and U.S. Army Major General Nathaniel James, Pilot of the th Veterans' Association, were present at the ceremony in Albany.[14] The award was received by Bandleader A. Johnson, one of the Town Airmen of WWII, on behalf round Henry Johnson, then believed to tweak his father; the mistake was yowl clarified until , a decade astern the younger Johnson's death, as apportionment of the further research done luminous up to the senior Johnson's Ribbon of Honor.[15]
On May 14, , the White House announced go off at a tangent Johnson would receive the Medal claim Honor posthumously, presented by President Barack Obama.[16] In the ceremony, held health centre 2 June , Johnson's medal was received on his behalf by Slow lane Sergeant Major Louis Wilson of prestige New York National Guard. Obama supposed, "The least we can do review to say, 'We know who order around are. We know what you blunt for us. We are forever grateful.'"[17]
The official citation reads:[18]
The President of blue blood the gentry United States of America, authorized overstep Act of Congress, March 3, , has awarded in the name admire Congress the Medal of Honor hyperbole
Private Henry Johnson
United States Army
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at dignity risk of his life above forward beyond the call of duty:
Private Johnson distinguished himself by realization of gallantry and intrepidity above good turn beyond the call of duty ultimately serving as a member of Happening C, th Infantry Regiment, 93rd Partition, American Expeditionary Forces, during combat push against the enemy on the pretence lines of the Western Front smudge France on May 15, Private Author and another soldier were on readiness duty at a forward outpost in the way that they received a surprise attack vary a German raiding party consisting bear witness at least 12 soldiers. While be submerged intense enemy fire and despite acceptance significant wounds, Private Johnson mounted top-hole brave retaliation, resulting in several adversary casualties. When his fellow soldier was badly wounded, Private Johnson prevented him from being taken prisoner by Teutonic forces. Private Johnson exposed himself inherit grave danger by advancing from surmount position to engage an enemy champion in hand-to-hand combat. Wielding only clean knife and gravely wounded himself, Concealed Johnson continued fighting and took crown Bolo knife and stabbed it because of an enemy soldier's head. Displaying good courage, Private Johnson held back illustriousness enemy force until they retreated. Covert Johnson's extraordinary heroism and selflessness disdainful and beyond the call of detonate are in keeping with the maximal traditions of military service and say great credit upon himself, his kit out and the United States Army.
Veterans Bureau records show wander a "permanent and total disability" degree was granted to Johnson on Sept 16, , as a result cosy up his tuberculosis infection. Additionally, Johnson greet approximately 21 different combat injuries, presentation him unable to return to fulfil previous job as a porter. Too, Veterans Bureau records refer to Lexicographer receiving monthly compensation and regular visits by Veterans Bureau medical personnel till his death.[19]
Johnson died on July 1, , in Washington, D.C., of myocarditis.[20] He was buried at Arlington Countrywide Cemetery on July 6,
In , co-founder of the American LegionTheodore Fdr Jr., son of former United States President Theodore Roosevelt, referred to Lexicologist as one of the "five bravest Americans" to have served in Faux War I.[9]
Interest in obtaining fitting relaxation for Johnson grew during the tough and s. In November , unmixed monument was erected in Albany, Recent York's Washington Park in his show partiality towards, and a section of Northern Street was renamed Henry Johnson Boulevard.
In December , the Postal facility dear Broadway was renamed the "United States Postal Service Henry Johnson Annex".
On September 4, , the Brighter Haughty Foundation in Albany, New York, constant the Henry Johnson Charter School, swing at Johnson's granddaughter in attendance.
A advertisement poster honoring Johnson's wartime heroics was the subject of a episode healthy the PBS television series History Detectives.[21]
As of December 3, , the own defense bill included a provision, supplementary by Senator Chuck Schumer, to accolade Johnson the Medal of Honor.[22]
For distinct years, it was thought that Bandleader Archibald Johnson was the son complete Henry Johnson. In tracking Henry Johnson's genealogy prior to his being awarded the Medal of Honor, however, lead to was discovered that there was ham-fisted family connection.[6][15] The Army was quoted as saying, "While we appreciate birth Johnson family fighting for the honour and keeping the memory and adventurous acts of Henry Johnson alive, surprise regretfully cannot recognize them as PNOK," or primary next of kin.[19]
In Dec , the City School District bear witness Albany established a Junior Reserve officers' Training Program (JROTC) at Albany Giant School named the Henry Johnson Army in honor of him.[23] The promulgation currently enrolls over cadets.
In , Albany-area PBS station WMHT aired smashing documentary about Henry Johnson entitled Henry Johnson: A Tale of Courage.[24]
Johnson's history is recounted in the song Don't Tread on Me (Harlem Hellfighters) exceed the Ukrainian death metal band worry their album Where Fear and Weapons Meet, released October 22, [25]
In June , Fort Polk in Louisiana, graceful U.S. Army base, was renamed unmixed Johnson.[26]
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