Henry Johnson: "Harlem Hellfighter" Medal of Honor Recipient

Quick answer: Who was Henry Johnson?

Henry Johnson was a private in the 369th Infantry, the Harlem Hellfighters, who in May 1918 in France fought off a German raiding party with grenades, his rifle, and a bolo knife despite 21 wounds, saving fellow soldier Needham Roberts from capture. France awarded him the Croix de Guerre with Gold Palm. He died in poverty in 1929, was buried at Arlington, and received the Medal of Honor posthumously in 2015.

If you're looking for the epitome of courage, walk down Porter Avenue at Arlington National Cemetery and visit the grave of Henry Johnson. Johnson served in the 369th Infantry, the African American regiment known as the Harlem Hellfighters. In early 1918, with France stretched to its limits, General John Pershing assigned the 369th to the French Army. The French, paying little attention to American prejudice, put them in the line at the western edge of the Argonne Forest. Wearing French helmets and equipment, Johnson and Private Needham Roberts of New Jersey were on sentry duty one night in May 1918 when a German raiding party attacked. Johnson threw grenades as Roberts, wounded, passed him more. When the grenades ran out, Johnson fired his rifle until it jammed, then used it as a club until the stock splintered. When he saw the Germans trying to carry Roberts off, he went at them with his bolo knife. He was still fighting when French and American troops arrived and the Germans withdrew. Johnson collapsed with 21 wounds. He had killed four Germans, wounded many more, and kept them from breaking through. France awarded both men the Croix de Guerre, Johnson's with the Gold Palm. When the Hellfighters came home in February 1919, Johnson rode in an open car up Fifth Avenue toward Harlem holding a bouquet of lilies as thousands cheered. The regiment got its own parade because it had not been allowed to march in the official victory parade with white units. Former President Theodore Roosevelt called Johnson one of the five bravest Americans of the war. But his wounds left him unable to work, his family left him, and he died penniless in 1929 at 32. His family believed he was in a pauper's grave. In fact he had been buried at Arlington on July 6, 1929. He received the Medal of Honor posthumously in 2015.

Why it matters for leaders: Johnson's country took almost a century to recognize what he did, which is all the more reason to visit his grave.

Q: When did Henry Johnson receive the Medal of Honor?

A: Posthumously, on June 2, 2015, from President Barack Obama.

Q: Where is Henry Johnson buried?

A: At Arlington National Cemetery, off Porter Avenue.

Read the full article on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/henry-johnson-harlem-hellfighter-medal-honor-recipient-john-fenzel

By John Fenzel, founder and CEO of Heroes' Path Foundation