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Famous Like Me > Writer > J > Henry Johnson

Profile of Henry Johnson on Famous Like Me

 
Name: Henry Johnson  
   
Also Know As:
   
Date of Birth: 19th March 1890
   
Place of Birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
   
Profession: Writer
 
 
From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia

Henry Johnson (1897-1929) was an American soldier, and recipient of the Purple Heart and Distinguished Service Cross.

Henry Lincoln Johnson was born in the south and moved to Albany, New York when he was in his early teens. He worked as a redcap porter at the Albany Union Station on Broadway. Johnson enlisted in the Army in 1917, joining the all-black New York National Guard unit, the 369th Infantry Regiment, based in Harlem. Assigned to the French command in World War I, Johnson arrived in France on New Year’s Day, 1918. While on guard duty on May 14, 1918, then Private Johnson came under attack by a German raider party. Johnson displayed uncommon heroism when, using his rifle and a bolo knife, he repelled the Germans, thereby rescuing a comrade from capture and saving the lives of his fellow soldiers.

Sgt. Henry Johnson was the first American soldier in World War I to receive the Croix de Guerre with star and palm from the French government.

Johnson died at age 32, penniless in New York City, estranged from his wife and family and without ever receiving official recognition from his own government. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Interest in obtaining fitting recognition for Johnson grew during the 70’s and 80’s. In November 1991 a monument was erected in Washington Park in his honor, and a section of Northern Boulevard was renamed Henry Johnson Boulevard. In June 1996, Johnson was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. In February of 2003, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army’s second highest award, was presented to Herman Johnson on behalf of his father. In December 2004 the Postal facility at 747 Broadway was renamed the “United States Postal Service Henry Johnson Annex.” Work continues to win the Congressional Medal of Honor for Sgt. Henry Johnson.

This content from Wikipedia is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Henry Johnson