Private Henry Johnson, AKA "Black Death"

Private Henry Johnson, AKA "Black Death"

William Henry Johnson was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on July 15, 1892. On June 5, 1917, he enlisted in the United States Army, joining the 369th Infantry Regiment, also known as the "Harlem Hell-fighters”, an all-black regiment that paved the way for future African American soldiers.


During a combat operation on May 15, 1918, Johnson sustained 21 wounds and multiple gunshots, but continued to fight, using only the butt of his gun, his knife, and his bare hands.


Johnson single-handedly killed several enemy soldiers and saved his fellow wounded comrade who had been taken captive, earning the nickname of “Black Death”.


The remaining German soldiers fled, leaving behind a cache of weapons, equipment and valuable intelligence.


For his actions, in 1918, he was awarded the Croix de guerre with star and bronze palm by the French, becoming the first U.S. soldier in World War I to receive that honor. Posthumously, he received the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Service Cross, and the Medal of Honor.


In recognition of his heroism, Fort Polk in Leesville, Louisiana, was renamed Fort Johnson on June 5, 2023.


On July 1, 1929, at the age of 36, Henry Johnson passed away in New Lenox, Illinois and was laid to rest at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.





#distinguished #America #USA #military #armedforces #War #hero #army #purpleheart #medalofhonor #sacrifice #blackdeath

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