Henry Johnson’s WWI Valor and Posthumous Medal of Honor

Dec 05 , 2025

Henry Johnson’s WWI Valor and Posthumous Medal of Honor

Bloodied hands gripping frozen earth. Bullets ripping night air as shadows crept close. Sgt. Henry Johnson stood alone on the bloody fringe of no man’s land, defying death with raw grit and unyielding fire. His body shattered by German blades and bullets, yet his voice cut through the chaos—calling out warnings, rallying the scattered, saving lives in the dark. This was a man forged in the hellfire of World War I, who’d refuse to let his countrymen fall without a fight.

From Albany Streets to Trenches of France

Born to a working-class family in Albany, New York, Henry Johnson’s youth was marked by hard knocks and hard truths. A son of the Harlem Renaissance epoch, he grew resilient against the prejudices that sought to cage him. When war called in 1917, Henry answered—not with luxury, but with steadfast resolve. Assigned to the 369th Infantry Regiment, the famed Harlem Hellfighters, he joined a unit of Black soldiers who fought under French command, denied full acceptance by their own army.

Faith was his backbone, silent but steady. A church-going man, Henry carried the scripture of endurance in his heart. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). It whispered courage when the mud swallowed men whole, and bullets sang their death hymns overhead.

The Battle That Defined a Legend — May 15, 1918

Deep in the Argonne Forest near the village of Apremont, Johnson’s squad was suddenly ambushed by a large German raiding party. The surprise attack was brutal, fast, and merciless. Amidst the fog and gun smoke, Johnson single-handedly barred the enemy’s path. Armed with a rifle, grenades, and a bolo knife, he fought in brutal close quarters.

Despite being blasted with shrapnel, slashed repeatedly, and suffering multiple gunshot wounds, Johnson never faltered. His actions reportedly saved a fellow soldier and prevented the annihilation of his patrol. For more than an hour, he battled, shouting warnings to his comrades even as blood poured from his wounds. His courage shattered the German assault and left their raid in ruins.

When medical help arrived, they found him nearly dead but conscious—clutching his wounds, refusing to leave his post. His battle scars would mark him forever, both physically and in the annals of war.

Recognition Delayed But Not Denied

Sgt. Henry Johnson’s heroism was initially recognized by the French government with the Croix de Guerre—France’s highest military honor for foreign soldiers[1]. Yet back home in America, racial barriers delayed proper recognition. It was not until decades later, in 2015, that President Barack Obama posthumously awarded Johnson the Medal of Honor, the highest U.S. military decoration.

The official citation detailed his extraordinary valor:

“He ran forward shouting warnings to his comrades and engaged the raiding party, killing several enemy soldiers while sustaining many wounds. He continued fighting despite grave injuries and saved the life of a fellow soldier.”[2]

His own comrades in the 369th recalled Johnson as “a warrior without equal,” fierce and unbreakable even when the night grew darkest.

Legacy Carved in Blood and Glory

Henry Johnson’s story is not only one of battle—it’s a testament to perseverance against injustice. His bravery cut through the fog of discrimination that denied Black soldiers the recognition they earned. The Harlem Hellfighters endured the worst of trench warfare and Jim Crow prejudice, yet they fought with honor unmatched.

Johnson’s life reminds us this truth: heroism knows no color. Sacrifice is the same under any flag. Witnessing his scars should leave no room for doubt—redemption comes through sacrifice and steadfastness.

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

Johnson’s legacy marches on—engraved not just on medals and monuments, but in the heartbeat of every veteran who’s ever faced the abyss and refused to blink. He teaches us that courage is messy, costly, and real. That true honor often waits years or lifetimes to be recognized. And that faith—quiet, unyielding faith—can carry a man through the darkest of nights.

For every combat veteran walking a path scarred by war, Sgt. Henry Johnson stands tall—a guardian spirit calling us to never falter, never forget, and to carry the fight forward with unshakable heart.

Sources

[1] U.S. Army Center of Military History + The Harlem Hellfighters: Black Soldiers in World War I [2] Congressional Medal of Honor Society + Official Citation for Henry Johnson