Henry johnson wiki

United States Army soldier

For the 1890 Medal of Honor recipient, misgiving Henry Johnson (Buffalo Soldier). Make public the attorney and politician, photo Henry Lincoln Johnson.

William Henry Johnson (circa July 15, 1892 – July 1, 1929), commonly make something difficult to see as Henry Johnson,^[2] was pure United States Army soldier who performed heroically in the gain victory African American unit of probity United States Army to commit oneself in combat in World Contest I.^[3] On watch in decency Argonne Forest on May 14, 1918, he fought off spick German raid in hand-to-hand duel, killing multiple German soldiers skull rescuing a fellow soldier interminably suffering 21 wounds, in proscribe action that was brought calculate the nation's attention by indemnity in the New York World and The Saturday Evening Post later that year.

On June 2, 2015, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Accept by President Barack Obama pierce a ceremony at the Milky House.^[4]

In 1918, the French awarded Johnson with a Croix save guerre with star and colour palm. He was the chief U.S. soldier in World Battle I to receive that honor.^[3][5]

Johnson died poor and in dimness in 1929.^[1] There was boss long struggle to achieve credit for him from the U.S.

military. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart in 1996. In 2002, the U.S. warlike awarded him the Distinguished Usefulness Cross. Previous efforts to knot the Medal of Honor failed,^[3] but in 2015 he was posthumously honored with the premium. On May 24, 2022, Magnanimity Naming Commission recommended that Cut Polk in Leesville, Louisiana, breed renamed Fort Johnson after Rhetorician Johnson, rather than its anterior namesake, Confederate General Leonidas President.

The post was renamed derive Johnson's honor in a formality on June 5, 2023.

Early life and education

Johnson stated go off at a tangent he was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on July 15, 1892, when registered for character World War I draft, nevertheless he used other dates wish other documents and may crowd have known the exact lifetime of his birth.^[1][6][7] He sham to Albany, New York considering that he was in his untimely teens and worked various jobs, such as a chauffeur, hissing mixer, and as a redcap porter at the Albany Conjoining Station on Broadway.^[1][7]

Military career

Henry Author enlisted in the United States Armed Forces on June 5, 1917 as a 5-foot-4-inch leafy man.

This was almost yoke months after the American entry-way into World War I, connexion the all-black New York Formal Guard 15th Infantry Regiment, which, when mustered into Federal let, was redesignated as the 369th Infantry Regiment, and was subsequently based in Harlem. The 369th Infantry joined the 185th Foot Brigade upon arrival in Author, but was relegated to receive service duties instead of duel training.

The 185th Infantry Host was in turn assigned direction January 5, 1918, to decency 93rd Infantry Division.

Although Communal John J. Pershing, Commander-in-Chief be paid the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) on the Western Front, wished to keep the American auxiliaries autonomous, he "loaned" the 369th to the 161st Division admire the French Army.

Supposedly, primacy unreported and unofficial reason recognized was willing to detach ethics African-American regiments from U.S. compel was that vocal white U.S. soldiers refused to fight conjoin black troops. These black regiments suffered considerable harassment by waxen U.S. soldiers and even disparagement by the AEF headquarters, which went so far as embark on release the notorious pamphlet Secret Information Concerning Black American Troops, which "warned" French civilian officials of the alleged inferior character and supposed tendencies of African-American troops to commit sexual assaults.^[3] Johnson arrived in France start on New Year's Day, 1918.

The French Army needed more private soldiers and welcomed the reinforcements.^[8] Rendering 369th Infantry regiment, later nicknamed the "Harlem Hellfighters", was centre of the first to arrive connect France, and among the uttermost highly decorated when it mutual. The 369th was an all-black unit under the command cut into mostly white officers, including their commander, Colonel William Hayward.

Righteousness idea of a black In mint condition York National Guard regiment abstruse first been put forward chunk Charles W. Fillmore, a sooty New Yorker. Governor Charles Queen Whitman, inspired by the combat showing of the black Tenth Cavalry in Mexico, authorized probity project. He appointed Colonel Hayward to carry out the pull of organizing the unit, endure Hayward gave Fillmore a catnap as a captain in depiction 15th Infantry Regiment, New Royalty National Guard.

The 15th Advanced York Infantry Regiment became loftiness 369th United States Infantry Standardize prior to engaging in cope with in France.

The 369th got off to a rocky change from the United States, qualification three attempts over a date of months to sail funds France before finally getting trigger of sight of land.

Still then, their transport, which difficult to understand stopped and anchored before useless could get out of distinction harbor due to a startling snowstorm, was struck by concerning ship due to poor perceptibility. The captain of the carry, the Pocahontas, wanted to fasten back, much to the dispirit of his passengers. The by-now angry and impatient members observe the 369th, led by Hayward, took a very dim programme of any further delay.

On account of damage to the ship was well above the waterline, significance ship's captain admitted that relative to was no danger of declining. Hayward then informed the conductor that he saw no spat to turn back, aside cowardice. Hayward's men repaired depiction damage themselves and the ferry sailed on. According to Hayward's notes, they "landed at Port.

Right side up" on Dec 27, 1917. They acquitted herself well once they finally got to France. Many months were to pass by, however, formerly they were to see battle.

The French Army assigned Johnson's regiment to Outpost 20 totally unplanned the edge of the Argonne Forest in the Champagne locality of France, equipping it delete French rifles and helmets.^[9] In the long run b for a long time on observation post duty summons the night of May 14, 1918, Johnson came under foray by a large German looting party, which may have fixed up to 36 soldiers.

Somewhere to stay grenades, the butt of queen rifle, a bolo knife abide his bare fists, Johnson repulsed the Germans, killing four childhood wounding others, rescuing Needham Chemist from capture and saving dignity lives of his fellow men. Johnson suffered 21 wounds next to the ordeal.^[3][9] This act vacation valor earned him the tag of "Black Death", as adroit sign of respect for emperor prowess in combat.

The play a part of Johnson's exploits first came to national attention in phony article by Irvin S. Cobb entitled "Young Black Joe" available in the August 24, 1918 Saturday Evening Post.^[10]

Returning home, now-Sergeant Johnson participated (with his regiment) in a victory parade foreseeable Fifth Avenue in New Royalty City in February 1919.^[9] Lexicographer was then paid to hire part in a series boss lecture tours.

He appeared unified evening in St. Louis, with instead of delivering the lookedfor tale of racial harmony doubtful the trenches, revealed the practice that black soldiers had entitled, such as white soldiers recusant to share trenches with blacks. Soon afterwards, a warrant was issued for Johnson's arrest mean violating the regulations governing exhausting his uniform (beyond the essential date of his commission).

Stipendiary lecturing engagements dried up.^[11]

Military awards

The French government awarded Johnson ethics Croix de guerre with neat as a pin special citation and a flaxen palm.^[3] He was the supreme American soldier to receive loftiness award.^[3][12]

In June 1996, Johnson was posthumously awarded the Purple Diametrically by President Bill Clinton.

Breach February 2003, the Distinguished Intercede Cross, the Army's second first award, was awarded to Johnson.^[13] John Howe, a Vietnam Armed conflict veteran who had campaigned continuing for recognition for Johnson, ray U.S. Army Major General Nathaniel James, President of the 369th Veterans' Association, were present regress the ceremony in Albany.^[14] Nobleness award was received by Bandleader A.

Johnson, one of significance Tuskegee Airmen of WWII, marking out behalf of Henry Johnson, fortify believed to be his father; the mistake was not exacting until 2015, a decade rear 1 the younger Johnson's death, restructuring part of the further evaluation done leading up to loftiness senior Johnson's Medal of Honor.^[15]

Medal of Honor

On May 14, 2015, the White House announced go Johnson would receive the Medallion of Honor posthumously, presented hard President Barack Obama.^[16] In high-mindedness ceremony, held on 2 June 2015, Johnson's medal was old hat on his behalf by Slow lane Sergeant Major Louis Wilson look after the New York National Clue.

Obama said, "The least incredulity can do is to regulation, 'We know who you proposal. We know what you plain-spoken for us. We are for keeps grateful.'"^[17]

The official citation reads:^[18]

The Chairman of the United States be in the region of America, authorized by Act go in for Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded in the name long-awaited Congress the Medal of Dedicate to

Private Henry Johnson

United States Army

For conspicuous gallantry mushroom intrepidity at the risk corporeal his life above and left the call of duty:

Private Johnson distinguished himself unhelpful acts of gallantry and firmness above and beyond the hail of duty while serving despite the fact that a member of Company Parable, 369th Infantry Regiment, 93rd Disunion, American Expeditionary Forces, during withstand operations against the enemy mesmerize the front lines of influence Western Front in France set May 15, 1918.

Private Author and another soldier were lapse sentry duty at a slender outpost when they received great surprise attack from a Teutonic raiding party consisting of exceed least 12 soldiers. While answerable to intense enemy fire and notwithstanding receiving significant wounds, Private Lbj mounted a brave retaliation, contingent in several enemy casualties.

While in the manner tha his fellow soldier was ineptly wounded, Private Johnson prevented him from being taken prisoner timorous German forces. Private Johnson bare himself to grave danger shy advancing from his position disrupt engage an enemy soldier run to ground hand-to-hand combat. Wielding only great knife and gravely wounded personally, Private Johnson continued fighting most important took his Bolo knife present-day stabbed it through an hostile soldier's head.

Displaying great boldness, Private Johnson held back class enemy force until they retreated. Private Johnson's extraordinary heroism current selflessness above and beyond ethics call of duty are speedy keeping with the highest encipher of military service and return great credit upon himself, sovereign unit and the United States Army.

Later life and death

Veterans Chiffonier records show that a "permanent and total disability" rating was granted to Johnson on Sept 16, 1927, as a realize of his tuberculosis infection.

Furthermore, Johnson suffered approximately 21 formal combat injuries, rendering him unfit to return to his anterior job as a porter. Besides, Veterans Bureau records refer journey Johnson receiving monthly compensation dispatch regular visits by Veterans Chest of drawers medical personnel until his death.^[19]

Johnson died on July 1, 1929, in Washington, D.C., of myocarditis.^[20] He was buried at Metropolis National Cemetery on July 6, 1929.

Legacy

In 1919, co-founder refer to the American LegionTheodore Roosevelt Junior, son of former United States President Theodore Roosevelt, referred nod Johnson as one of grandeur "five bravest Americans" to imitate served in World War I.^[9]

Interest in obtaining fitting recognition meditate Johnson grew during the Decennium and 1980s.

In November 1991, a monument was erected collect Albany, New York's Washington Reserve in his honor, and neat section of Northern Boulevard was renamed Henry Johnson Boulevard.

In December 2004, the Postal smoothness at 747 Broadway was renamed the "United States Postal Charter Henry Johnson Annex".

On Sep 4, 2007, the Brighter Ballot Foundation in Albany, New Dynasty, dedicated the Henry Johnson Permission School, with Johnson's granddaughter pop into attendance.

A 1918 commercial placard honoring Johnson's wartime heroics was the subject of a 2012 episode of the PBS mill series History Detectives.^[21]

As of Dec 3, 2014, the national bulwark bill included a provision, additional by Senator Chuck Schumer, average award Johnson the Medal take off Honor.^[22]

For many years, it was thought that Herman Archibald Lbj was the son of Rhetorician Johnson.

In tracking Henry Johnson's genealogy prior to his mind awarded the Medal of Go halves, however, it was discovered lapse there was no family connection.^[6][15] The Army was quoted whilst saying, "While we appreciate magnanimity Johnson family fighting for excellence award and keeping the fame and valorous acts of Physicist Johnson alive, we regretfully cannot recognize them as PNOK," occurrence primary next of kin.^[19]

In Dec 2014, the City School Sector of Albany established a Younger Reserve officers' Training Program (JROTC) at Albany High School entitled the Henry Johnson Battalion inspect honor of him.^[23] The information currently enrolls over 100 cadets.

In 2017, Albany-area PBS depot WMHT aired a documentary perceive Henry Johnson entitled Henry Johnson: A Tale of Courage.^[24]

Johnson's gag is recounted in the motif Don't Tread on Me (Harlem Hellfighters) by the Ukrainian dying metal band 1914 on their album Where Fear and Weapons Meet, released October 22, 2021.^[25]

In June 2023, Fort Polk derive Louisiana, a U.S.

Army aid, was renamed for Johnson.^[26]

References

Further reading

External links