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William Henry Johnson (circa July 15, 1892 – July 1, 1929), commonly known as Henry Johnson, was a United States Army soldier who performed heroically in the first African American unit of the United States Army to engage in combat in World War I.
Sgt. Henry Johnson’s actions on the night of May 15, 1918 earned him the nickname “Black Death.” Defending Allied lines, he saved a fellow Soldier from capture and prevented a German raid from reaching his French allies.
Jun 1, 2020 · Army Sgt. Henry Johnson suffered 21 wounds in hand-to-hand combat with German troops in World War I, stopping the enemy advance and saving a fellow soldier from capture, while bringing...
Jun 2, 2015 · Private Henry Johnson, a member of the all-black unit known as the “Harlem Hellfighters,” used a rifle, a knife and his hands to fight off nearly two dozen German soldiers during World War I.
- Sarah Pruitt
- 6 min
U.S. Army Private Henry Johnson was posthumously presented the Medal of Honor for military valor during World War I. Today, the President will award two new Medals of Honor for heroic actions by Privates Philip Shadrach and George Wilson during the Civil War.
May 15, 2015 · Sgt. Henry Johnson of the 369th Infantry Regiment was awarded the French Croix de Guerre for bravery during an outnumbered battle with German soldiers, Feb. 12, 1919. (Photo: Public Domain)
Pvt. Henry Johnson, a member of the first all-black American infantry units called the “Harlem Hellfighters” that changed the public view of African-American soldiers, spent a year as part of the 369th Infantry of the New York National Guard.
