Schools across the nation celebrate February as Black History Month. In this series of articles, teachers and students are presented with a unique opportunity to learn about exceptional black Americans who accomplished much in their lives. In this article, we salute Henry Johnson!
A member of the 15th National Guard of New York, which became the 369th Infantry, Henry Johnson (1897-1929) was probably the most famous black soldier to have fought in World WarI. The 369th was the first group of black combat troops to arrive in Europe. After a summer of training, the group saw action at Champagne and fought its way to the Rhine River in Germany, receiving the “croix de guerre” from the French government.
Johnson and another soldier (Needham Roberts) were the first Americans to receive this French medal for individual heroism in combat. As privates with the 369th Infantry, they were injured in an assault by German soldiers but succeeded in routing their attackers. Johnson was cited by the French as a “magnificent example of courage and energy.” He was later promoted to sergeant.
The 369th Infantry had a regimental band, conducted by James Reese Europe and Noble Sissle. This band is credited with the introduction of American jazz abroad.
Student Activities:
1. The popular movie “Red Tails” is about Black American fighter pilots in WWII. How were things different (or the same) for Black Americans in the U.S. military between WWI when Henry Johnson was a soldier and WWII when the Tuskegee Airmen flew their “red tail” planes?
2. Military heroes often become well known for extraordinary things they do in battle or during a time of war. However, regular people become heroes often by doing things for others, or by working hard at something they believe in. Look in today’s newspaper for people that you would identify as heroes. What are the special qualities or character traits of the everyday heroes you selected from the newspaper? Compare them to the military heroes from this lesson. What are the similarities?
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