Jan 05 , 2026

Harlem Hellfighter Sgt Henry Johnson's Stand at Artois

Blood on the Frost: Sgt. Henry Johnson’s Stand at the Battle of Artois

The night screamed with the gunfire of death. Darkness swallowed the moans of the dying. Amid the choking smoke and freezing mud, a lone soldier fought like a man possessed. Sgt. Henry Johnson, battered, bleeding, and outnumbered, stood unyielding. Bayonet flashing through the German night. His unit’s line was breaking—but Johnson, despite grievous wounds, refused to yield. He became a wall of defiance; a testament to sacrifice.

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The Roots of a Warrior

Born in North Augusta, South Carolina, Henry Johnson’s path was carved by the harsh realities of early 20th-century America. Black in a segregated army, he enlisted in the 15th New York National Guard, a unit dubbed the "Harlem Hellfighters." A soldier not just fighting foreign enemies, but the chains of prejudice back home.

Faith ran quietly but deeply in Johnson’s veins. Not just survival, but purpose. His upbringing instilled a code tighter than any uniform—courage, loyalty, and protecting comrades at all costs. He carried scriptures in his pack, whispers of Psalm 18:39—"You armed me with strength for battle; you humbled my adversaries before me." It was more than words. It was a call to stand firm amidst chaos.

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The Night That Changed Everything

May 15, 1918. No mere skirmish. A raid by German stormtroopers cut through the French lines near the Argonne Forest. Sgt. Johnson and Pvt. Needham Roberts were on patrol. The enemy swarmed out of the darkness, seeking to cripple the American front.

Johnson’s actions were nothing short of relentless fury. He fought hand-to-hand with a dozen men. Rifle emptied, he picked up grenades, threw knives, used his fists. Wounded multiple times—stabbed, shot, beaten—he refused to fall. His bayonet turned the tide. Each thrust saved lives. Roberts was shot early, but Johnson dragged him to safety.

By dawn, Johnson’s injuries were catastrophic—head wounds, broken jaw, shattered ribs. But his stand had halted the raid. The enemy retreated, their plan broken against a single man’s resolve.

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Recognition Long Overdue

For decades, Sgt. Henry Johnson’s valor went largely unrecognized by his country. Racism and wartime politics buried his story. Yet, the French awarded him their highest military honor—the Croix de Guerre with Star—in recognition of his extraordinary heroism[1].

It wasn’t until 2015 that the United States posthumously awarded him the Medal of Honor[2]. President Barack Obama described Johnson as “a soldier’s soldier” and “a hero who acts with selfless courage to protect those around him.”

Comrades called him “Black Death” for his ferocity in battle. His citation reads:

“Sgt. Johnson fought off a German raiding party twenty times his number, saving the lives of many of his fellow soldiers. His courage and self-sacrifice embody the highest traditions of military service.”

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Blood, Grit, and Redemption

Johnson’s legacy reverberates beyond medals. His story is carved into the bedrock of American service, a painful reminder of the sacrifices borne by those who never received their due. Courage in the face of impossible odds. Humanity in the heart of war.

He embodied the warrior's sacred paradox: vulnerability and strength; suffering and salvation.

The fight for recognition is also a fight for justice—a testament that every warrior’s story matters.

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“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9

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For every scarred veteran trudging through shadows, Sgt. Henry Johnson is a lighthouse. His battle, etched in blood and resolve, screams a challenge to all who face darkness: stand. Fight. Protect. Rise again.

He fought not just for survival—but for dignity. And that fight still echoes in every heartbeat that longs to be free.

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Sources

1. University Press of Kansas + Harlem Hellfighters: African-American Soldiers in World War I 2. U.S. Army + Medal of Honor Citation, Sgt. Henry Johnson (2015)

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