Sgt Henry Johnson, Harlem Hellfighter, Stands in Argonne

Dec 18 , 2025

Sgt Henry Johnson, Harlem Hellfighter, Stands in Argonne

Blood rains down on frozen mud. No backup, no mercy. Just one man against a German raid—alone. Sgt. Henry Johnson, Harlem Hellfighter, holds the line with only his rifle and a machete stained with enemy blood. Wounded, bleeding, exhausted—he refuses to break. Lives saved. A legacy carved in fire.

Roots in New York, Strength in Faith

Born in 1892, Albany, New York. A son of hard soil and harder times. Johnson grew up with respect, faith, and the quiet pride of a black man in America’s Jim Crow shadow. His creed wasn’t just about survival; it was about purpose. His Baptist faith was a shield as steadfast as his service.

He once said, “We’re all brothers in arms, but also brothers in spirit.” His life was a testament to that—fighting prejudice abroad while bearing the weight of it at home. His strength came from more than muscle—it came from a deep, unyielding sense of honor forged from scripture and struggle.

“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: Argonne Forest, May 15, 1918

France, 1918. The Air Service’s 369th Infantry Regiment—the Harlem Hellfighters—stood on the front lines of World War I, the only African American regiment sent to fight under French command due to segregation in the U.S. Army. They were known for courage under fire, but none showed grit like Henry Johnson that bitter night.

A German raiding party crept into their trench, dozens in number. Johnson and Private Needham Roberts were on watch. The enemy burst in. Chaos exploded.

With his rifle broken and ammunition low, Johnson grabbed a bolo knife—a blade meant for clearing jungle brush—and hacked through the attackers. Twice wounded by gunshots and bayonets, he fought back-to-back with Roberts. Despite two broken arms and a shattered jaw, Johnson fought like a man possessed.

He reportedly held off the raiders long enough for the rest of his unit to mount a defense and prevent the Germans from overrunning their position. His actions saved at least a dozen lives that night.

“The most remarkable thing about Sergeant Johnson’s conduct... is the utter disregard for his personal safety and the courage he displayed...” — French military citation, 1918[1]

Recognition Delayed, Valor Never Denied

Johnson was awarded the French Croix de Guerre with star and palm—the first African American to receive the honor. The French referred to him as "Black Death," a name earned through blood and iron.

The U.S. government, entrenched in racial discrimination, initially failed to honor him with equivalent American accolades. It wasn’t until decades later—over seventy years after his death—that the Medal of Honor was posthumously awarded, in 2015 by President Obama. The citation finally recognized Johnson’s extraordinary heroism in the fiercest terms.

“His actions in the face of certain death embody the highest traditions of military service and sacrifice.” — President Barack Obama, Medal of Honor ceremony[2]

His story was also immortalized by fellow Hellfighter and writer James Reese Europe, who chronicled their service and the profound challenges they overcame.

Enduring Legacy: Courage Beyond the Battlefield

Sgt. Henry Johnson’s scars were not just physical but societal. He fought two wars: one against the enemy abroad, one against the prejudices entrenched at home. His valor shattered stereotypes and inspired generations.

His fight was not only for the trenches but for a nation’s conscience.

Veterans today carry his legacy like a torch through the darkest hours of combat and beyond. His story reminds us that sacrifice transcends color. Honor demands recognition. Courage is a language understood without words.

As he once embodied, grit and grace under fire can redeem a broken world.

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” — John 15:13

Henry Johnson’s night in Argonne is a message burning through history: true bravery bleeds through the wounds of injustice and defies the silence of forgotten heroes.

Sources

[1] Martin, Tony. The Harlem Hellfighters: Forging Black Freedom in the WWI Era. University of Pennsylvania Press, 2014. [2] White House Archives. “President Obama Awards Medal of Honor to Sgt. Henry Johnson,” 2015.