By: Mark Holtsberry
Henry Johnson aka William Henry Johnson is not from Paulding County but I found his story very interesting. Henry Johnson was born July 15, 1892 in Winston Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina. Son of Isaac and Maggie Johnson.
By 1900 the Johnson family was living in North Carolina, Isaac was a day laborer. Henry could read and write, but was not listed as going to school. On July 5, 1915, in Forsyth, North Carolina, Henry married a 19 year old gal by the name of Mattie Campbell. Her parents were James and Maria Campbell.
By 1917, moving to New York, Henry and Mattie were living at 53 Spencer Street, Albany, New York. Henry had taken numerous jobs such as, soda jerk, chauffer, Porter at Albany’s Union Station. Finally, Henry found a job working at the Albany Wood and Coal Company as a laborer.
When all able bodied men had to register for the draft, Henry on June 5, 1917, registered. Henry, with his medium build and medium height, brown eyes and black hair, decided to join Company C. 15th New York National Guard. Which then formed Company C. 369th Regiment, 93rd Infantry Division, (also known as Harlem Hellfighters). December 14, 1917 Henry was given the soldier tag with tag number 183348, his unit was sent overseas. Henry’s unit was brigaded with a French army colonial unit on the frontline, where this unit spent more time on the line on the Western Front than any other unit.
On May 15, 1918, Henry’s life changed forever. That morning while on sentry duty with fellow soldier, Needham Roberts, on the western front, northwest of Saint Menehaul, France, Henry and Needham were under a surprise attack from a German raiding party consisting of at least 12 soldiers. While under intense enemy fire and despite receiving wounds, Private Johnson mounted a brave retaliation. Needham was badly wounded and being carried away by enemy soldiers, Henry exposed himself to danger by attacking from his position to engage at least two enemy soldiers. Wielding only his Bolo knife he kept attacking, while suffering more wounds. After killing or wounding two more enemy soldiers, Henry was able to free Needham. Displaying great courage, he continued holding back the larger enemy force until the enemy retreated. Henry was able to capture weapons and equipment. Henry sustained grenade and rifle fire wounds.
Henry received a total of 21 wounds in his service. Henry was one of the first American to receive the French Coix de Guerre avec Palme, France’s highest award for valor. Upon his return home to America, Henry was unable to work due to his injuries. Henry fell into alcoholism and destitution before contracting tuberculosis.
He passed away July 1, 1929, in New Lenox, Illinois. In 1928, in his book, “Rank and File, True Stories of The Great War”, Theodore Roosevelt Jr. stated that Johnson was one of the five bravest American soldiers in the war”. In 1990, an effort to recognize Henry’s actions was taken up. A street in Albany, New York was named for him and a monument dedicated. Henry was honored posthumously with the Purple Heart in 1996, the Distinguished Service Cross in 2002, and the Medal of Honor in 2015.
Henry Johnson is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, July 5, 1929 in Section 25, Site 64.
…Until Next Time!
