Henry Johnson fights off German horde in 1918
Preston sends a link to the story of Henry Johnson who fought off a horde of Germans while he was at an outpost on May 15th, 1918 – I’m sorry we missed the anniversary two days ago, but late is better than never;
Johnson and 17-year-old Needham Roberts were on night watch duty while stationed in France. A German sniper fired off a round at Johnson’s post, and the soldier wisely prepared by grabbing a box of grenades. After the enemy cut wire surrounding his post, Johnson tossed grenades toward the Germans and surprised them. Numbering about 20 deep, the enemy troops returned fire and grenades. Roberts was injured by a German grenade, but he was able to toss Johnson weapons during his defense.
According to Johnson’s personal account, the Germans attempted to take Roberts prisoner, but he was able to fend them off. Surrounded and stuck with a jammed rifle, Johnson took a bolo knife and began slashing at the Germans. They stabbed and beat him, but he did enough damage to save him and his comrade’s life and was assisted by fellow soldiers who came to their aid an hour after the melee began.
Johnson and Roberts suffered several wounds; Johnson had 21 wounds and fainted from his injuries en route to a French hospital. Army officials inspected the site of the clash the next morning and found four German soldiers dead and a large cache of weapons. It was said that there may have been more dead soldiers there, and it appeared that many as 32 Germans stormed the post’s fences.
Johnson’s son was awarded his father’s Purple Heart in 1996 and his Distinguished Service Cross in 2003. The french nicknamed him “The Black Death” and his unit was henceforth known as “the Harlem Hell-Fighters”. He died in 1929 and currently resides at Section 25 Site 64
in Arlington National Cemetery.
Category: Real Soldiers
B.A.D. A.S.S. !!!!!
Helluva guy!
He said later that he was just trying to stay alive, something, he said any rabbit would do. (Yeah, except a rabbit will run to survive.) He was awarded the Croix de Guerre and his entire unit–with a helluva combat record and an MOH recipient, to boot–later received one too. His son (at age 80 something) accepted the Distinguished Service Cross on his father’s behalf and the son himself was no slouch. He was one of the Tuskegee Airmen of WW II.
It is good to remember these gentlemen who had such strong wills to survive backed up with the skills to do it.
It’s really nice to know the back story behind the headstones at any Veteran’s cemetery. Then they are no longer just a “blank” piece of granite.
Thank you, Jonn.
The author needs to study World War I just a little more. Chandler accurately states the 369th Infantry was “a mostly African-American group.” He errs greatly in stating the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) was outside the rest of the Army – “Not surprisingly, the U.S. Army used the AEF as laborers and ship workers,” and, “AEF forces also contended with fellow White soldiers …” when in fact, the AEF was the U.S. Army in France.
Sounds like a guy I’d be proud to go to war with. Sad to see the proper recognition took so long.
He fought them off with a sack of grenades and a set of brass balls the size of pumpkins
Awesome story
Hondo, yep, he can hold my right flank anytime. #8, I admire your sentiment and agree.
For those who forget, black American Soldiers had “miles to go go before they slept”, as, sadly, regards proving themselves.
RIP, warrior.
Well done, that gentleman was true warrior.
Stories of true warriors and heroes always be remembered.
Great job in remembering this Soldier.