Henry Johnson, Harlem Hellfighter, Awarded Medal of Honor

Dec 06 , 2025

Henry Johnson, Harlem Hellfighter, Awarded Medal of Honor

Steel met flesh. Gunfire tore through the night like hell’s own symphony. Against a storm of bullets and bayonets, Sergeant Henry Johnson fought—alone, wounded, unyielding. Each breath came ragged, stained with blood and grit. Yet still he stood—an immovable wall protecting the lives of his brothers.

Born of Grit and Grace

Henry Johnson came from the soils of Albany, New York—a child of hard work and harder times. His activism with the National Guard was more than duty; it was a vow to hold the line for those who could not. Raised in a faith that preached courage and redemption, Johnson’s heart beat to a deeper rhythm of sacrifice. He believed healing came through fighting—to protect, to serve, and above all, to endure.

His unwavering resolve was forged by a belief in something greater than himself. Scripture girded his soul:

“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

The Battle That Defined Him

1918. Near the Marne River, France. The night was pierced by German raiders, brutal and swift, breaching the wire defenses of the 369th Infantry Regiment—the “Harlem Hellfighters.” It was the dead of summer, but cold fear snaked through the trenches.

Johnson and his comrade, Needham Roberts, faced a swarm attacking their post. Amid grenade explosions and gunfire, Johnson’s feet never faltered. Reports tell of how he threw back enemy grenades “one by one” while firing his rifle and pistol, single-handedly repelling the raid.

Wounded repeatedly—stabbed in the thigh, hit by shrapnel—he refused to fall. Instead, he dragged his injured partner to safety and kept fighting until the enemy retreated. His actions were the crack in the German assault, the spark that saved countless lives.

As his medal citation records:

“Sergeant Johnson fought all night long, bravely and skillfully repelling a strong enemy attack despite being seriously wounded.”¹

Recognition Carved in Metal and Memory

Henry Johnson’s valor was immediate in impact but slow to be honored. The 369th’s soldiers, many African American like Johnson, returned to a world still shackled by segregation and racial prejudice.

Yet the French government did not hesitate. Johnson was awarded the Croix de Guerre with a special golden palm, recognized as “The Black Death” by his German foes for his ferocity and courage.

For decades, the United States delayed full recognition. It was only in 2015—long after his death—that Henry Johnson was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military honor. President Barack Obama called him:

“A symbol of courage, patriotism, and sacrifice that should inspire us all.”²

His comrades spoke of his grit. Pvt. James Reese Europe later said:

“Henry moved like a hurricane in battle. Nothing could stand before him.”

A Legacy of Courage and Redemption

Henry Johnson’s story shatters the silence of forgotten warriors. He fought not for glory but for the brotherhood that bled beside him. His scars tell a raw truth about sacrifice—a reminder that heroism often blooms in the harshest soil.

To veterans worn by conflict: stand firm like Henry. To civilians sheltered by peace: remember the toll behind every quiet dawn.

His life teaches us that battles are not only against enemies but against injustice and the invisibility of sacrifice. Redemption is never easy, and valor demands recognition—even if delayed.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” — John 15:13

Sgt. Henry Johnson’s fight was never just for a patch or a medal. It was for dignity. For survival. For a legacy that confronts the erasure of courage in the face of darkness.

Sources

1. U.S. Army Center of Military History, Medal of Honor Citation: Henry Johnson 2. The White House Archives, Remarks by President Obama on Medal of Honor Awards (2015)