Sgt. Henry Johnson and the Harlem Hellfighters' Courage

Oct 05 , 2025

Sgt. Henry Johnson and the Harlem Hellfighters' Courage

Steel met flesh under the shroud of a fog-draped night.

Sgt. Henry Johnson, alone against a gripping swarm of German soldiers, fought with a fury born not just of duty—but of survival and unbreakable resolve. His hands crushed rifles and crushed bones. His body bled but never bowed. In that hellish crucible, Johnson became a living wall between death and his comrades.

The Roots of a Warrior

Born in 1892, Albany, New York shaped Henry Johnson—a Black man forged in hardship long before Great War cannons echoed. Racism stalked his every step, but so did a fierce pride. When he joined the 369th Infantry Regiment, the famous "Harlem Hellfighters," he carried a code: honor above all; faith to carry the load.

This regiment, segregated but unstoppable, marched not only against the enemy abroad but the prejudice at home. Johnson’s faith was quiet but steady—an inner fortress through the madness of war. Scripture was his shield:

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” —Joshua 1:9

This was not empty reassurance. This was the backbone of a man who would soon face impossible odds.

The Battle That Defined Him

Black February, 1918. Near the village of Belloy-en-Santerre, France, Johnson and another soldier—needless to say, outnumbered—were attacked by a German raiding party estimated at 24 men. The attack was sudden; the enemy aimed to silence the 369th’s position and snatch prisoners.

Johnson, armed with a rifle, grenades, and his bare hands, went into pure survival mode. He fired, threw bombs, and fought tooth and nail. When his comrade was wounded, Johnson did not hesitate to shield him. The night turned into a brutal melee.

Garbed in mud and grit, with bayonet wounds and bullet holes carving through his uniform, Johnson moved with raw tenacity. He killed or wounded at least a dozen enemies, reportedly with savage hand-to-hand combat when ammunition ran low. For hours.

When dawn broke, the German raiders withdrew. Johnson was nearly dead, his body ragged by 21 wounds, yet his spirit refused to quit. His actions saved the unit and prevented a breakthrough that could have cost dozens of lives.

Heroism Recognized—Decades Later

America slept on Johnson’s valor for some time. Despite immediate French honors—the Croix de Guerre with Palm—his homeland viewed Black soldiers through a lens clouded by segregation. The United States did award him the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Service Cross decades after the battle, but the Medal of Honor eluded him during his lifetime.

It was not until 2015 that Sgt. Henry Johnson received the Medal of Honor posthumously; a long-overdue acknowledgment from a nation forced to confront both its enemies abroad and its demons at home.

General Russell P. Davis, former commander of the 369th, said,

“Henry Johnson’s courage was monumental... He fought not just the enemy, but the terrible injustice of his era.”

His citation reads in part:

“For extraordinary heroism in action while serving with the 369th Infantry Regiment... Sgt. Johnson distinguished himself by singlehandedly fighting off a dozen attacking German soldiers while wounded himself, saving the lives of his fellow soldiers.”

A Legacy Written in Blood and Light

Henry Johnson’s story is more than a tale of individual combat—it is a testament to the fierce dignity of the forgotten, the power of redemption through sacrifice. His scarred body was a map of courage; his silent endurance a loud roar against discrimination.

His fight teaches a timeless truth: Courage does not recognize color. It answers only to purpose and heart. His scars remind us the price of freedom is always paid in full—often by those least honored at first.

In the marrow of his story, veterans and civilians alike find a prayerful call to remember and to fight—against evil, injustice, and despair.

“Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.” — 2 Corinthians 3:12

Sgt. Henry Johnson stood bold where others fell. His legacy—etched in sweat, blood, and unyielding faith—still rides the field, urging us to stand unshaken when darkness closes in.

Sources

1. New York State Military Museum + Veterans Research Center, “369th Infantry Regiment - 'Harlem Hellfighters'” 2. National Archives + Records Administration, “Service Records of Henry Johnson (U.S. Army)” 3. U.S. Army Center of Military History, “Medal of Honor Recipients: World War I” 4. PBS, Henry Johnson: The Harlem Hellfighter Documentary Transcript 5. Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Official Citation of Sgt. Henry Johnson