Sergeant Henry JohnsonSergeant Henry Johnson

The Governor's Reception Celebrating Black History 1999

Henry JohnsonHenry Johnson •America in the early part of the twentieth century was an economy that was in transition from an agricultural driven to one based on the ability of the infrastructure to support a large manufacturing base.

• Johnson worked at the Albany Union Station on Broadway, this was the gateway to the capital of the State of New York. The building still stands today as the headquarters of Fleet Bank in Albany.

Establishing a Negro RegimentEstablishing a Negro Regiment

•The New York State Legislature passed a bill in 1913 authorizing the establishment of a “Regiment of Negro Infantry.” This regiment known as the New York Fifteenth Infantry, was to be commanded by Colonel William Hayward, a veteran of the Spanish American War and New York's Public Safety Commissioner.

•Henry Johnson enlisted on June 5, 1917 at the Marcy Ave. Armory in Brooklyn. The regiment was sent to the Carolina’s to train for war.

•When the regiment arrived in Europe they were immediately pressed in to service as a labor unit. They unloaded ships and dug latrines. The men of the 369th were subjected to the law of segregation that were enforced in the continental United States while they served in Europe.

Labor Labor or or

FightFight

•Unable to fight with the American Expeditionary Forces, Colonel Heyward negotiated an agreement to assign the “Black Rattlers” to the operational control of the French Army. It was under the French that the regiment learned of their federal designation as the 369th US Infantry.

Henry Johnson, the 369th Henry Johnson, the 369th and the French Forcesand the French Forces

•The men of the 369th were issued French uniforms, weapons, rations and were trained in French tactics. They learned enough French to take orders and were assigned a French comrade to show them the "ropes."

The 369th regimental bandThe 369th regimental band“Hell Fighters Band”“Hell Fighters Band”

•The Hell Fighters band under the command of 1Lt. James Reese Europe was known throughout the European theater and is credited with introducing the "Great American Art Form of Jazz" to the world.

On the night of May 14, 1918, The Germans sent a raiding party forward to capture some of these

newly arrived troops that the Americans had thrown into the line. The Germans thought it

would be an easy task, they were sadly mistaken. Private Henry Johnson and Private Needham Roberts from Newark, New Jersey

both assigned to Company C. 369th US Infantry, were on guard duty at a forward outpost in the

Argonne Forest.

Henry Johnson Henry Johnson and the German and the German

AttackAttack

•According to the account of Major (later Lieutenant Colonel) Arthur Little, Regimental Adjutant and Johnson's Battalion Commander, in his book, From Harlem to the Rhine, the German patrol numbered at least twenty-four to thirty.

Henry Johnson and the German Henry Johnson and the German AttackAttack

Roberts, badly wounded was seized by the Germans and carried off as a prisoner.

Johnson himself severely wounded regained his momentum and chased after the Germans in an effort to save his comrade. He used his rifle until it jammed, turned it into a club, threw hand grenades, and then drew his bolo knife.

In a harrowing display of valor, Johnson broke up the German attack, drove them back, rescued his buddy and cared for him until they were relieved that morning. Johnson was wounded twenty one times.

Henry Johnson and Henry Johnson and the French Awardthe French Award

The French government awarded Johnson the French Croix de Guerre with Gold Palm, that country's highest award for valor. Johnson was the first American of any background to be so honored.

Henry Johnson Henry Johnson and his wifeand his wife

Johnson's wife was feted and his unselfish valorous devotion to his comrade lauded by the people of the City of Albany.

The Fort Orange Club hosted a tea for Mrs. Edna Johnson, at its prestigious location in downtown Albany.

Henry Johnson Henry Johnson Returns to the Returns to the

United StatesUnited States

Johnson returned to a hero's welcome. In New York City the regiment marched up Fifth Ave. Home to Harlem, keeping in step to the beat of the Hell - Fighters Band while Henry Johnson rode in an open car.

The regiments return to Harlem was a social and cultural event for the community. The entire population turned out and took it upon themselves to open the doors of their homes and establishments that offered food and refreshment.

Johnson Johnson Returns to Returns to AlbanyAlbany

Johnson returned to Albany where he was revered and was a living hero. He tried to go back to his job at the Albany Union Station but was not able to do the work.

Twenty- one wounds, exposed to gas, took its toll. It is rumored that Johnson self medicated himself with alcohol and after a number of years he passed away.

Johnson never received any benefits from the government.

Johnson never lived to see any official acknowledgment for his valor and dedication to his comrade Needham Roberts.

A 1976 US Bicentennial poster, printed by the US Government Printing Office stated, " Johnson left a trail of destruction a half mile long.”

The 369th Veterans' Association, Inc., Albany District, has dedicated a monument in Washington Park and the City of Albany has renamed Northern Boulevard Henry Johnson Boulevard in honor of this local Hero.

In 1995 a bronze bust by the renowned artist Vincent J. Forte was mounted on top of the granite monument.

Johnson’s Purple HeartJohnson’s Purple Heart

In June of 1997, President Clinton directed the award of the Purple Heart Medal for the wounds received during that fateful night in 1918.

369th Veterans’Association369th Veterans’Association For over twenty years the members of the 369th Veterans' Association, Inc. Has told the story and proclaimed the need for the United States to honor the deeds that have endeared the people of color in this country about the need for keeping its promise.

Status of Status of the Medal of Honor the Medal of Honor for Henry Johnsonfor Henry Johnson

In 1998 after a protracted struggle to exempt Sergeant Johnson from the statute of limitations on filing for an award, the New York National Guard, filed a recommendation for the Medal of Honor.

The Department of the Army has reviewed the facts surrounding this forgotten fact of American History and has finally accepted the recommendation for the award of the Medal of Honor.

On January 15, 1999, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr 's 70th Birthday, the Senior Military Awards Board was convened in Washington. On their agenda is to determine if Johnson will be awarded the Medal of Honor.

Adapted from

http://www.albany.edu/cuyt/HJ2/finalHJ_files/frame.htm

Preparedby

John HoweJohn Howein cooperation with,

Dr. Joseph Bowman, JrDr. Joseph Bowman, Jr.

Center for Urban Youth and Center for Urban Youth and TechnologyTechnology

The University at Albany, SUNY