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Harlem Hellfighter to get Medal of Honor?

Sgt. Henry Johnson

Three recently discovered documents may finally right a historic wrong with a Portland connection.

One document in particular, a 1918 memo found in the National Archives, could provide the missing evidence necessary to finally bestow a Medal of Honor, the country’s highest military award, to an African-American soldier who fought in World War I under Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish’s grandfather.

Because of segregation, Sgt. Henry Johnson wore a French uniform and served under French command, though his commanding officer was Fish’s grandfather, Hamilton Fish III, a white commander of the 369th Infantry Regiment, which was made up of black soldiers.

The technicality have may have hampered efforts to get Johnson the Medal of Honor. But the finding of a memo written by Gen. John J. Pershing, World War I Army Commander in Chief, could provide the “chain-of-command” endorsement necessary for the honor, according to an article Tuesday in The Albany Times Union in Johnson’s hometown.

In the memo Pershing writes, “Reports in hand show notable instance of bravery and devotion shown by 2 soldiers of American colored regiment operating in French sector.”

The memo continues: “Before day light on May 15, Private Henry Johnson and Private Roberts, while on sentry duty at some distance from one another, were attacked by German raiding party estimated at 20 men, who advanced in 2 groups attacking at once from flank and rear. Both men fought bravely in hand-to-hand encounters, one resorting to use of bolo knife after rifle jammed and further fighting with bayonet and butt became impossible. Evidence that at least one and probably second German was severely cut. Third known to have been shot. Attention drawn to fact that the 2 colored sentries first attacked continued fighting after receiving wounds, and despite of use of grenades by superior force, and should be given credit for preventing by their bravery the taking prisoner of our men.”

Historians have long known of Johnson’s heroics. His regiment has been called the Harlem Hellfighters and lauded in books and documentaries.

Though Johnson was awarded the country’s second highest military honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, the highest award has remained elusive. His son, who was a Tuskegee Airman during World War II, spent decades fighting for the cause but died without seeing his father receive the recognition.

For years, Sen. Charles Schumer has led the campaign with the backing of other New York elected officials and with support from Sen. Ron Wyden’s office, though the pursuit of the medal has been unsuccessful. On Tuesday, Schumer called for the U.S. Army to reopen the case.

Hamilton Fish, III, grandfather of Nick Fish, marching with his regiment.

“Having a chain-of-command endorsement from the Commander of the American Expeditionary Force is an extraordinary development in the evolution of our understanding of an extraordinary story,” Schumer said in  news release. “A second, and also significant, new piece of primary historical documentation has also surfaced —  an eyewitness description from the soldier Johnson saved, Mr. Neadom Roberts.”

The third document is a letter written by one of Johnson’s commanders, William Hayward. It confirms Johnson’s action as recounted by Pershing and Roberts.

The new pieces of evidence should be enough for the Army to review Johnson’s application, Schumer said.

“The stumbling block has always been new information,” Fish said Thursday. “And this memo from Pershing is the gold standard of new information.”

Fish became involved in the effort after reading a story about the campaign in The Skanner. He was close to his grandfather, despite some opposite political beliefs, and knew his grandfather would have wanted the brave soldier honored.

“My hope is that when this is finally concluded, and a ceremony is scheduled, and the president confers this medal on Johnson, that his commanding officer’s grandson can be there, that I can be there, to represent the family.”

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