MEDAL OF HONOR
World War ILive Webcast: Medal of Honor Ceremony
Watch the Medal of Honor ceremony live webcast, January 3, 2025 at 5:00 PM EST
During a special ceremony, President Joe Biden will award the Medal of Honor to several recipents including Sergeant Henry Johnson for his heroic acts during the World War I.
Live Webcast: Hall of Heroes Induction
Watch the Hall of Heroes Induction Ceremony live webcast, January 4, 2025 at 10:30 AM EST
During a special ceremony, the U.S. Army will induct several Medal of Honor recipients into the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes. The Pentagon ceremony will add Sergeant Henry Johnson's name to the distinguished roster in the Hall of Heroes, the Defense Department's permanent display of record for all recipients of the Medal of Honor.
Sergeant Henry Johnson
hometown
Winston Salem, North Carolina
Enlistment date
June 5, 1917
Military Occupation (MOS)
Infantryman (11B)
Unit
Company C, 15th New York Infantry Regiment, 369th Infantry Regiment
Deployments
World War I, France, 1918-1919
Born William Henry Johnson in Winston Salem, North Carolina, Johnson moved to New York as a teenager. He worked various jobs - as a chauffeur, soda mixer, laborer in a coal yard, and a redcap porter at Albany's Union Station. He enlisted in the U.S. Army, June 5, 1917, and was assigned to Company C, 15th New York (Colored) Infantry Regiment - an all-black National Guard unit that would later become the 369th Infantry Regiment.
Sgt. Henry Johnson of the 369th Infantry Regiment was awarded the French Croix de Guerre for bravery during an outnumbered battle with German soldiers, Feb. 12, 1919. (Photo: Public Domain)
The 369th Infantry Regiment was ordered into battle in 1918, and Johnson and his unit were brigaded with a French army colonial unit in front-line combat. Johnson served one tour of duty to the western edge of the Argonne Forest in France's Champagne region, from 1918-1919.
For his battlefield valor, Johnson became one of the first Americans to be awarded the French Croix de Guerre avec Palme, France's highest award for valor.
Johnson returned home from his tour and was unable to return to his pre-war porter position due to the severity of his 21 combat injuries. Johnson died in July 1929. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Johnson was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart in 1996 and the Distinguished Service Cross in 2002.
Our Colored HeroesThe "Our Colored Heroes" lithograph, published by E.G. Renesch in 1918, depicts the German raid on then-Pvt. Henry Johnson and Pvt. Needham Roberts during World War I. The lithograph quotes Gen. Pershing, who praises the two African American sentries, who "continued fighting after receiving wounds and despite the use of grenades by a superior force." (Image courtesy of the Tennessee State Library and Archives).
Sgt. Henry Johnson is "one of the five bravest American soldiers in the war."
Theodore Roosevelt Jr. in his book "Rank and File: True Stories of the Great War"
The Battle
Wielding only a knife
May 15, 1918 | Argonne Forest, Champagne, France
Company C, 15th New York Infantry Regiment, 369th Infantry Regiment
This distinctive unit insignia was originally approved, April 17, 1923. The rattlesnake is a symbol used on some colonial flags and is associated with the 13 original colonies. Its coiled, ready-to-strike position alludes to the service of the organization during World War I. Read Full Unit History
Then-Pvt. Henry Johnson served as a member of Company C, 369th Infantry Regiment, 93rd Division, American Expeditionary Forces, during combat operations against the enemy on the front lines of the Western Front in France.
While on night sentry duty, May 15, 1918, Johnson and a fellow Soldier, Pvt. Needham Roberts, received a surprise attack by a German raiding party consisting of at least 12 soldiers.
While under intense enemy fire and despite receiving significant wounds, Johnson mounted a brave retaliation resulting in several enemy casualties. When his fellow Soldier was badly wounded, Johnson prevented him from being taken prisoner by German forces.
Johnson exposed himself to grave danger by advancing from his position to engage an enemy soldier in hand-to-hand combat. Wielding only a knife and being seriously wounded, Johnson continued fighting, took his Bolo knife and stabbed it through an enemy soldier's head.
Displaying great courage, Johnson held back the enemy force until they retreated. The enemy raid's failure to secure prisoners was due to the bravery and resistance of Johnson and his fellow comrade. The effect of their fierce fighting resulted in the increased vigilance and confidence of the 369th Infantry Regiment.
The 369th Infantry Regiment
“Harlem Hellfighters”
The 369th Infantry was originally formed in 1913 as the 15th Infantry Regiment in the New York Army National Guard. The infantry was one of the first few Army regiments to have black officers in addition to an all-black enlisted corps, and was one of the few black combat units during World War I. Reflecting racial discrimination and segregation both in American society and within the Army, American Expeditionary Forces leadership avoided placing African-American units alongside of white Army units. As a result, Gen. John J. Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Forces, assigned the 369th Infantry to attach with the allied French Army.
During its service during World War I, the regiment is credited with participation in the Champagne-Marne, Meuse Argonne, Champagne 1918, and Alsace 1918 campaigns.
The 369th Infantry Soldiers, nicknamed the "Harlem Hellfighters", spent 191 days in the front line trenches and earned a regimental French Croix de Guerre with Silver Star and Streamer embroidered Meuse-Argonne, and more than 170 Croix de Guerre medals during World War I.
The 369th Infantry's regimental band, under the direction of Lt. James Reese Europe, is credited with introducing jazz music to European audiences.
The “Harlem Hellfighters“ were the first all-black regiment that helped change the American public's opinion on African-American Soldiers and helped pave the way for future African-American Soldiers.
The Ceremony
"...Two enemy soldiers began to carry [Needham] away while another provided cover, firing at Henry. But Henry refused to let them take his brother-in-arms. He shoved another magazine into his rifle. It jammed. He turned the gun around and swung it at one of the enemy, knocking him down. Then, he grabbed the only weapon he had left, his Bolo knife, and went to rescue Needham. Henry took down one enemy soldier, then the other. The soldier he'd knocked down with his rifle recovered, and Henry was wounded again. But armed with just his knife, Henry took him down too."
President Barack Obama,
White House Ceremony, June 02, 2015
RELATED STORIES FROM ARMY.MIL
Company C, 15th New York Infantry Regiment, 369th Infantry Regiment
The regiment was organized in 1917 and took part in the French Campaigns of 1918 in the 3rd Division; its most remarkable feat being at Chateau Thierry on the Marne, July 15, where it broke the point of the German attack. This division is shown by the broken chevron, the rock and motto. The divisional insignia forms the base of the shield.
The 38th Infantry Regiment was constituted in May 1917 as a unit of the regular Army. In October 1917 it was assigned to the 3rd Division. Deploying with the 3rd Division to France, the regiment earned the nickname “Rock of the Marne” in July 1918 after it defeated a much larger German force attacking across the Marne River. The regiment participated in all subsequent major battles of the war. After occupation duty in Germany, the 38th returned to the United States in 1919. In 1939, the regiment was transferred to the 2nd Infantry Division, with whom it served in World War II and the Korean War.
The 2nd Infantry Division was constituted in 1917 as a unit of the regular Army and organized in France from units assigned to the American Expeditionary Forces, including a U.S. Marine Corps brigade. The 2nd Infantry Division fought in all of the major battles of 1918, such as Belleau Wood, Soissons, St. Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne. After occupation duty in Germany, the 2nd Infantry Division moved to the United States in 1919, replacing the U.S. Marine Corps brigade with an Army brigade. Between the world wars, it tested the Triangular Infantry Division concept that the Army would use in World War II and the Korean War.
In 1943, it deployed to the United Kingdom, and then to France in June 1944. The 2nd Infantry Division fought from Normandy to Germany and played a vital role in the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944. Resuming the offensive, the division crossed the Rhine River in March 1945 and was in Czechoslovakia when Germany surrendered. The 2nd Infantry Division returned to the United States in July 1945 to prepare for the invasion of Japan, but the war ended before it could deploy. Instead, the division moved to Fort Lewis, Washington.
In July 1950, the 2nd Infantry Division became the first division sent from the United States to reinforce the Eighth Army in Korea. It helped hold the Pusan Perimeter and then advanced with United Nations forces into North Korea. In November, the Chinese launched a massive offensive that forced Eighth Army to withdraw from North Korea. The 2nd Infantry Division covered the right flank and suffered severe casualties as it fought its way past enemy roadblocks in what became known as The Gauntlet.
After reconstitution in South Korea, the division saw heavy combat in the drive north to the 38th Parallel from January to June 1951. During that period the division's 23rd Regimental Combat Team inflicted a major defeat on the Chinese at Chipyong-ni. In the war's final two years, the 2nd Infantry Division fought for ridges and outposts, including a series of battles at Bloody Ridge, Heartbreak Ridge and Old Baldy. After the armistice, the division remained in Korea until 1954; then its colors were transferred to Fort Lewis and used to reflag the 44th Infantry Division as the 2nd Infantry Division.
In 1956, the division moved to Alaska as part of an Operation Gyroscope rotation, in which it switched places with the 71st Infantry Division. In June 1958, the division's colors were transferred to Fort Benning, Georgia, and used to reflag the 10th Infantry Division as the 2nd Infantry Division. In July 1965, the 2nd Infantry Division and the 1st Cavalry Division in Korea exchanged their colors and unit designations as the Army created the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) at Fort Benning, using units from the 11th Air Assault Division and the 2nd Infantry Division.
Since 1965, the 2nd Infantry Division has remained on the peninsula defending South Korea, which included clashes with North Korean infiltrators in the 1960s. In 2004, one of its brigade combat teams deployed from Korea to Iraq.
Official Citation
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has posthumously awarded in the name of Congress the Medal of Honor to
Sergeant Henry Johnson
United States Army
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:
Private Johnson distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a member of Company C, 369th Infantry Regiment, 93rd Division, American Expeditionary Forces, during combat operations against the enemy on the front lines of the Western Front in France on May 15, 1918. Private Johnson and another soldier were on sentry duty at a forward outpost when they received a surprise attack from a German raiding party consisting of at least 12 soldiers. While under intense enemy fire and despite receiving significant wounds, Private Johnson mounted a brave retaliation, resulting in several enemy casualties. When his fellow soldier was badly wounded, Private Johnson prevented him from being taken prisoner by German forces. Private Johnson exposed himself to grave danger by advancing from his position to engage an enemy soldier in hand-to-hand combat. Wielding only a knife and gravely wounded himself, Private Johnson continued fighting and took his Bolo knife and stabbed it through an enemy soldier’s head. Displaying great courage, Private Johnson held back the enemy force until they retreated. Private Johnson’s extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
President Barack Obama bestows the Medal of Honor to Sgt. Henry Johnson, accepting on his behalf is Command Sgt. Maj. Louis Wilson, of the New York National Guard, in the East Room of the White House, June 2, 2015. Then-Pvt. Johnson, an African-American, distinguished himself as a member of 369th Infantry Regiment "Harlem Hellfighters," 93rd Division, American Expeditionary Forces, during combat operations against the enemy on the front lines of the Western Front in France during World War I. While on night sentry duty, May 15, 1918, Johnson and a fellow Soldier, Pvt. Needham Roberts, received a surprise attack by a German raiding party consisting of at least 12 soldiers. While under intense enemy fire and despite receiving significant wounds, Johnson mounted a brave retaliation resulting in several enemy casualties. When his fellow Soldier was badly wounded, Johnson prevented him from being taken prisoner by German forces. Wielding only a knife and being seriously wounded, Johnson continued fighting, took his Bolo knife and stabbed it through an enemy soldier's head. Displaying great courage, Johnson held back the enemy force until they retreated. The "Harlem Hellfighters" were the first all-black regiment that helped change the American public's opinion on African-American Soldiers that helped pave the way for future African-American Soldiers. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Bernardo Fuller
A former Soldier assigned to the 369th Infantry Regiment "Harlem Hellfighters," proudly wears the regiment's name on a ball cap while President Barack Obama bestows the Medal of Honor to Sgt. Henry Johnson, a World War I, 369th Soldier, at the White House, June 2, 2015. Then-Pvt. Johnson, an African-American, distinguished himself as a member of 369th Infantry Regiment "Harlem Hellfighters," 93rd Division, American Expeditionary Forces, during combat operations against the enemy on the front lines of the Western Front in France during World War I. While on night sentry duty, May 15, 1918, Johnson and a fellow Soldier, Pvt. Needham Roberts, received a surprise attack by a German raiding party consisting of at least 12 soldiers. While under intense enemy fire and despite receiving significant wounds, Johnson mounted a brave retaliation resulting in several enemy casualties. When his fellow Soldier was badly wounded, Johnson prevented him from being taken prisoner by German forces. Wielding only a knife and being seriously wounded, Johnson continued fighting, took his Bolo knife and stabbed it through an enemy soldier's head. Displaying great courage, Johnson held back the enemy force until they retreated. The "Harlem Hellfighters" were the first all-black regiment that helped change the American public's opinion on African-American Soldiers that helped pave the way for future African-American Soldiers. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Bernardo Fuller
New York Sen. Chuck Schumer thanks those who helped champion the effort for World War I hero and Albany resident, Sgt. Henry Johnson to receive the Medal of Honor at the White House, June 2, 2015. Then-Pvt. Johnson, an African-American, distinguished himself as a member of 369th Infantry Regiment "Harlem Hellfighters," 93rd Division, American Expeditionary Forces, during combat operations against the enemy on the front lines of the Western Front in France during World War I. While on night sentry duty, May 15, 1918, Johnson and a fellow Soldier, Pvt. Needham Roberts, received a surprise attack by a German raiding party consisting of at least 12 soldiers. While under intense enemy fire and despite receiving significant wounds, Johnson mounted a brave retaliation resulting in several enemy casualties. When his fellow Soldier was badly wounded, Johnson prevented him from being taken prisoner by German forces. Wielding only a knife and being seriously wounded, Johnson continued fighting, took his Bolo knife and stabbed it through an enemy soldier's head. Displaying great courage, Johnson held back the enemy force until they retreated. The "Harlem Hellfighters" were the first all-black regiment that helped change the American public's opinion on African-American Soldiers that helped pave the way for future African-American Soldiers. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Bernardo Fuller
Ina Bass, third from left, and Elsie Shemin-Roth represent their father, Sgt. William Shemin; while Command Sgt. Maj. Louis Wilson, second from right, New York Army National Guard, represents World Pvt. Henry Johnson, as they are inducted into the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon, June 3, 2015. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Bernardo Fuller.