Henry Johnson was a Black American soldier who served with distinction during World War I. Born in 1892 in North Carolina, Johnson was assigned to the 369th Infantry Regiment, also known as the Harlem Hellfighters. His unit was one of the few Black American combat divisions in the U.S. Army at the time. On May 14, 1918, while on sentry duty in the Argonne Forest in France, Johnson and his fellow soldier Needham Roberts came under attack by a large German raiding party. Despite being outnumbered and having sustained multiple injuries, Johnson fought valiantly, using his rifle, grenades, and even his bare hands to repel the enemy and protect his comrade.
Johnson's heroic actions saved Roberts' life and prevented a potential breach of the American line. He sustained 21 wounds during the battle but continued to fight until reinforcements arrived. His bravery earned him the nickname "Black Death" and made him one of the first Americans to receive the French Croix de Guerre with a golden palm, one of France's highest military honors. Unfortunately, because of his race, Johnson would be denied formal honors for his courage in U.S. until he was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama in 2015.
The Joy Trip Project celebrates the enduring legacy of Black American History. The Unhidden Minute is part of the Unhidden Podcast Project supported through a National Geographic Explorer Grant from the National Geographic Society, with the cooperation of the National Park Service. This series elevates the untold stories of Black American historical figures, events and cultural contributions.
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Sgt. Henry Johnson