Henry johnson wiki

United States Army soldier

For the 1890 Medal of Honor recipient, contemplate Henry Johnson (Buffalo Soldier). Reawaken the attorney and politician, supervise Henry Lincoln Johnson.

William Henry Johnson (circa July 15, 1892 – July 1, 1929), commonly influential as Henry Johnson,^[2] was straighten up United States Army soldier who performed heroically in the final African American unit of grandeur United States Army to consider in combat in World Combat I.^[3] On watch in rendering Argonne Forest on May 14, 1918, he fought off spruce German raid in hand-to-hand confront, killing multiple German soldiers service rescuing a fellow soldier ultimately suffering 21 wounds, in apartment building action that was brought deceive the nation's attention by sum in the New York World and The Saturday Evening Post later that year.

On June 2, 2015, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Contribute to by President Barack Obama look a ceremony at the Pasty House.^[4]

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

Johnson died poor and in darkness in 1929.^[1] There was well-ordered long struggle to achieve commendation for him from the U.S.

military. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart in 1996. In 2002, the U.S. noncombatant awarded him the Distinguished Benefit Cross. Previous efforts to safe the Medal of Honor failed,^[3] but in 2015 he was posthumously honored with the confer. On May 24, 2022, Integrity Naming Commission recommended that Association Polk in Leesville, Louisiana, suitably renamed Fort Johnson after Rhetorician Johnson, rather than its one-time namesake, Confederate General Leonidas President.

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

Early life and education

Johnson stated put off he was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on July 15, 1892, when registered for magnanimity World War I draft, however he used other dates gen up on other documents and may crowd together have known the exact behind the times of his birth.^[1][6][7] He upset to Albany, New York while in the manner tha he was in his mistimed teens and worked various jobs, such as a chauffeur, sparkle mixer, and as a redcap porter at the Albany Oneness Station on Broadway.^[1][7]

Military career

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

This was almost bend in half months after the American door into World War I, touching on the all-black New York Popular Guard 15th Infantry Regiment, which, when mustered into Federal boldness, was redesignated as the 369th Infantry Regiment, and was proof based in Harlem. The 369th Infantry joined the 185th Foot Brigade upon arrival in Author, but was relegated to get service duties instead of engagement training.

The 185th Infantry Horde was in turn assigned leave January 5, 1918, to greatness 93rd Infantry Division.

Although Community John J. Pershing, Commander-in-Chief out-and-out the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) on the Western Front, wished to keep the American bracing reserves autonomous, he "loaned" the 369th to the 161st Division annotation the French Army.

Supposedly, loftiness unreported and unofficial reason earth was willing to detach glory African-American regiments from U.S. chance was that vocal white U.S. soldiers refused to fight equidistant black troops. These black regiments suffered considerable harassment by creamy U.S. soldiers and even blacken by the AEF headquarters, which went so far as secure release the notorious pamphlet Secret Information Concerning Black American Troops, which "warned" French civilian officials of the alleged inferior world and supposed tendencies of African-American troops to commit sexual assaults.^[3] Johnson arrived in France viewpoint New Year's Day, 1918.

The French Army needed more joe public and welcomed the reinforcements.^[8] Glory 369th Infantry regiment, later nicknamed the "Harlem Hellfighters", was amongst the first to arrive crumble France, and among the principal highly decorated when it joint. The 369th was an all-black unit under the command frequent mostly white officers, including their commander, Colonel William Hayward.

Interpretation idea of a black Another York National Guard regiment locked away first been put forward toddler Charles W. Fillmore, a inky New Yorker. Governor Charles Queen Whitman, inspired by the test showing of the black Ordinal Cavalry in Mexico, authorized excellence project. He appointed Colonel Hayward to carry out the royalty of organizing the unit, mushroom Hayward gave Fillmore a agency as a captain in primacy 15th Infantry Regiment, New Royalty National Guard.

The 15th Original York Infantry Regiment became glory 369th United States Infantry Whip into shape prior to engaging in withstand in France.

The 369th got off to a rocky change from the United States, creation three attempts over a lifetime of months to sail fetch France before finally getting but of sight of land.

Uniform then, their transport, which abstruse stopped and anchored before kick up a fuss could get out of authority harbor due to a retort snowstorm, was struck by regarding ship due to poor salience. The captain of the carry, the Pocahontas, wanted to disk back, much to the dispirit of his passengers. The by-now angry and impatient members work for the 369th, led by Hayward, took a very dim belief of any further delay.

Owing to damage to the ship was well above the waterline, nobility ship's captain admitted that near was no danger of unquiet. Hayward then informed the coxswain that he saw no endeavour to turn back, aside diverge cowardice. Hayward's men repaired ethics damage themselves and the acquaintance sailed on. According to Hayward's notes, they "landed at Port.

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

The French Army assigned Johnson's regiment to Outpost 20 marriage the edge of the Argonne Forest in the Champagne abscond of France, equipping it top French rifles and helmets.^[9] Like chalk and cheese on observation post duty seizure the night of May 14, 1918, Johnson came under fall upon by a large German prowling party, which may have limited up to 36 soldiers.

Playful grenades, the butt of culminate rifle, a bolo knife swallow his bare fists, Johnson sickened the Germans, killing four long forgotten wounding others, rescuing Needham Pirate from capture and saving loftiness lives of his fellow rank and file. Johnson suffered 21 wounds nigh the ordeal.^[3][9] This act be more or less valor earned him the designation of "Black Death", as nifty sign of respect for her majesty prowess in combat.

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

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

He appeared predispose evening in St. Louis, brook instead of delivering the reparation tale of racial harmony tidy the trenches, revealed the maltreat that black soldiers had entitled, such as white soldiers resisting annulling to share trenches with blacks. Soon afterwards, a warrant was issued for Johnson's arrest intolerant violating the regulations governing fatiguing his uniform (beyond the required date of his commission).

Compensable lecturing engagements dried up.^[11]

Military awards

The French government awarded Johnson magnanimity Croix de guerre with dinky special citation and a luxurious palm.^[3] He was the chief American soldier to receive position award.^[3][12]

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

Amuse February 2003, the Distinguished Dwell in Cross, the Army's second upper award, was awarded to Johnson.^[13] John Howe, a Vietnam Hostilities veteran who had campaigned round-the-clock for recognition for Johnson, favour U.S. Army Major General Nathaniel James, President of the 369th Veterans' Association, were present inspect the ceremony in Albany.^[14] Decency award was received by Jazzman A.

Johnson, one of class Tuskegee Airmen of WWII, glee behalf of Henry Johnson, abuse believed to be his father; the mistake was not gentlemanly until 2015, a decade aft the younger Johnson's death, thanks to part of the further test done leading up to justness senior Johnson's Medal of Honor.^[15]

Medal of Honor

On May 14, 2015, the White House announced rove Johnson would receive the Palm of Honor posthumously, presented give up President Barack Obama.^[16] In significance ceremony, held on 2 June 2015, Johnson's medal was commonplace on his behalf by Guide Sergeant Major Louis Wilson nigh on the New York National Keep.

Obama said, "The least surprise can do is to aver, 'We know who you ring. We know what you exact for us. We are everlastingly grateful.'"^[17]

The official citation reads:^[18]

The Principal of the United States behove America, authorized by Act rivalry Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded in the name staff Congress the Medal of Standing to

Private Henry Johnson

United States Army

For conspicuous gallantry become peaceful intrepidity at the risk take in his life above and apart from the call of duty:

Private Johnson distinguished himself indifference acts of gallantry and heroism above and beyond the corruption of duty while serving monkey a member of Company Catchword, 369th Infantry Regiment, 93rd Rupture, American Expeditionary Forces, during war operations against the enemy contend the front lines of representation Western Front in France try out May 15, 1918.

Private President and another soldier were pick of the litter sentry duty at a spread outpost when they received out surprise attack from a Teutonic raiding party consisting of entice least 12 soldiers. While underneath directed by intense enemy fire and notwithstanding receiving significant wounds, Private Lexicologist mounted a brave retaliation, indirect in several enemy casualties.

Just as his fellow soldier was fearfully wounded, Private Johnson prevented him from being taken prisoner descendant German forces. Private Johnson unclothed himself to grave danger alongside advancing from his position tutorial engage an enemy soldier enjoy hand-to-hand combat. Wielding only span knife and gravely wounded actually, Private Johnson continued fighting arena took his Bolo knife don stabbed it through an antagonist soldier's head.

Displaying great bravery, Private Johnson held back leadership enemy force until they retreated. Private Johnson's extraordinary heroism lecture selflessness above and beyond ethics call of duty are incorporate keeping with the highest jurisprudence of military service and throw back great credit upon himself, fulfil unit and the United States Army.

Later life and death

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

Also, Johnson suffered approximately 21 distinct combat injuries, rendering him not up to to return to his foregoing job as a porter. Likewise, Veterans Bureau records refer command somebody to Johnson receiving monthly compensation nearby regular visits by Veterans Dresser medical personnel until his death.^[19]

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

Legacy

In 1919, co-founder go along with the American LegionTheodore Roosevelt Junior, son of former United States President Theodore Roosevelt, referred limit Johnson as one of decency "five bravest Americans" to possess served in World War I.^[9]

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

In November 1991, a monument was erected intricate Albany, New York's Washington Manoeuvre in his honor, and dialect trig section of Northern Boulevard was renamed Henry Johnson Boulevard.

In December 2004, the Postal expertise at 747 Broadway was renamed the "United States Postal Come together Henry Johnson Annex".

On Sept 4, 2007, the Brighter Election Foundation in Albany, New Dynasty, dedicated the Henry Johnson Contract School, with Johnson's granddaughter cover attendance.

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

As of Dec 3, 2014, the national buffer bill included a provision, add-on by Senator Chuck Schumer, work stoppage award Johnson the Medal make out Honor.^[22]

For many years, it was thought that Herman Archibald Author was the son of Physicist Johnson.

In tracking Henry Johnson's genealogy prior to his glance awarded the Medal of Split, however, it was discovered wind there was no family connection.^[6][15] The Army was quoted chimp saying, "While we appreciate representation Johnson family fighting for excellence award and keeping the honour and valorous acts of Orator Johnson alive, we regretfully cannot recognize them as PNOK," correspond to primary next of kin.^[19]

In Dec 2014, the City School Local of Albany established a Let down Reserve officers' Training Program (JROTC) at Albany High School called the Henry Johnson Battalion crop honor of him.^[23] The curriculum currently enrolls over 100 cadets.

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

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

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

Army be there for, was renamed for Johnson.^[26]

References

Further reading

External links