Private Henry Johnson, a member of the Harlem Hellfighters (369^th Infantry Division, New York National Guard), was one of the first Americans to be awarded the French Croix de Guerre. During a singular act of heroism, Johnson was wounded over twenty times on the night of 14 May 1918 as he fought off a German patrol and rescued a comrade, Private Needham Roberts, who was being taken captive by the Germans. Roberts, who was severely wounded in the fight and could not stand, was also awarded the Croix de Guerre.

Johnson and Roberts were manning a two man outpost when the German patrol, estimated at more than 20 men, attacked with grenades. Wounded, both Americans emptied their weapons and Roberts, who was wounded in his hip or knee and unable to stand, tossed grenades to Johnson who hurled them at the enemy patrol in an effort to stave off the attackers. Greatly outnumbered and out of ammo, both men used their rifles as clubs on their attackers, according to Major Arthur Little, who commanded a battalion of the 369th at the time.

Finally, as two Germans tried to drag Roberts away, Johnson drew a 9 inch double-edged knife from his belt and attacked them. One of the Germans cried out in American accented English when Johnson stabbed him. Undone by the unexpected ferocity and tenacity of Johnson's counterattack, the Germans withdrew, taking their wounded and dead with them. Major Little reported that Johnson killed four Germans and wounded at least twice that many. A patrol from the 369th followed the Germans' blood trail back to a point close to the enemy lines.

Johnson’s exploits on that remarkable Spring night in 1918 are all the more extraordinary when one learns he stood only 5’ 4” and weighed 130 pounds. As noted earlier, the French awarded Johnson the Croix de Guerre with Gold Palm in 1918 for his bravery. In 1996, seventy-eight years later, the United States Army finally got around to awarding Johnson a Purple Heart. Johnson died in 1929 without receiving a decoration of any kind from the United States Army for his heroic deeds. He was, however, promoted to sergeant.

In 2003, eighty-five years after he'd received France’s highest military honor for bravery, Henry Johnson was posthumously awarded the United States Army's Distinguished Service Cross, this nation’s second highest military decoration for bravery. His son, Herman Johnson, a member of the Tuskegee Airman of WW-II fame, accepted the award for his father. The younger Johnson, aided by New York Governor George Pataki and many others,  had been trying for years to have his father awarded the Medal of Honor. Since Herman Johnson had all but despaired of accomplishing this goal, he was pleased to accept the Distinguished Service Cross.

Henry Johnson was unable to return to his former civilian job because of the disability caused by his wounds. He worked at various menial jobs and died nearly penniless in 1929, not as a hero, but as an unhappy alcoholic, estranged from his wife and family. For years, Herman Johnson thought his father had been buried in an unmarked pauper’s grave. Instead, the elder Johnson was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Sixty-three years after Henry Johnson’s death, his son, in company with then New York Governor George Pataki, placed a wreath on the grave in Arlington. It's hoped Henry Johnson now rests more peacefully in well-deserved honor.

JOHNSON, HENRY
Sergeant, U.S. Army
Company C, 369th Infantry Regiment, 93d Division, A.E.F.
Date of Action: May 13 - 15, 1918
Awarded under Act of Congress, 2002
Home Town: Albany, New York

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Henry Johnson, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action in France during the period 13 - 15 May 1918.

Private Johnson distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force.

While on a double sentry night duty, Private Johnson and a fellow soldier were attacked by a raiding party of Germans numbering almost twenty, wounding both. When the Germans were within fighting distance, he opened fire, shooting one of them and seriously wounding two more. The Germans continued to advance, and as they were about to be captured Private Johnson drew his bolo knife from his belt and attacked the Germans in a hand-to-hand encounter.

Even though having sustained three grenade and shotgun wounds from the start, Private Johnson went to the rescue of his fellow soldier, who was being taken prisoner by the enemy. He kept on fighting until the Germans were chased away.

Private Johnson’s personal courage and total disregard for his own life reflect great credit upon himself, the 369th United States Infantry Regiment, the United States Army, and the United States of America.

(Note: Needham Roberts reportedly died in an asylum, having never completely recovered from his traumatic war experiences.)