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Black WWI Soldier To Get Army Honor
Philadelphia Inquirer | March 21, 2002

Posted on 03/22/2002 5:59:44 AM PST by Stand Watch Listen

The Army has agreed to give the Distinguished Service Cross to a black World War I soldier whose body was recently discovered buried at Arlington National Cemetery, an Army spokeswoman said. But lawmakers from New York had sought the military's highest honor - the Medal of Honor - for Henry Johnson of Albany. The lawmakers said they would sponsor federal legislation to do that. In 1918, Johnson fought off a German raiding party in France with a rifle and later with a knife after running out of ammunition. Wounded 21 times, he still rescued a wounded comrade. France awarded Johnson its highest military honor, the Croix de Guerre.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: croixdeguerre; henryjohnson; servicecross

1 posted on 03/22/2002 5:59:44 AM PST by Stand Watch Listen
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Comment #2 Removed by Moderator

To: Stand Watch Listen
Sounds like MOH material.
3 posted on 03/22/2002 6:03:26 AM PST by wideawake
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To: Stand Watch Listen
21 wounds? Used his knife after his bullets ran out? Hands down Medal of Honor candidate if you ask me.
4 posted on 03/22/2002 6:15:03 AM PST by Snake65
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To: Stand Watch Listen
Sounds like Audie Murphy.

One of the bigger news magazines had a recent story about black kids looking upto sports stars and singers as their role models. Perhaps they (as well as all American kids) need to look at somebody like this.

5 posted on 03/22/2002 6:23:15 AM PST by texlok
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Comment #6 Removed by Moderator

To: Stand Watch Listen
The gratuitous handing out of military awards for PC reasons makes me sick, but this ain't one of those.

Hats off to this fellow.

7 posted on 03/22/2002 6:34:11 AM PST by skeeter
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To: texlok
Perhaps they (as well as all American kids) need to look at somebody like this.
But the media does not publicize the actions of these type of men. Only 'celebrities' within the music/atheletic realm.
8 posted on 03/22/2002 6:38:11 AM PST by Stand Watch Listen
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To: Stand Watch Listen
Yes, unfortunately he'll end up as a footnote buried in some flyer for black history month.
9 posted on 03/22/2002 6:42:07 AM PST by texlok
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To: Stand Watch Listen
"Wounded 21 times, he still rescued a wounded comrade. France awarded Johnson its highest military honor, the Croix de Guerre."

France beat us to it? He was wounded 21 times and still managed to rescue a fellow soldier? He deserved the Medal Of Honor THEN, and I'm glad that his courage is finally being recognized. Mr. Johnson, thank you sir.

10 posted on 03/22/2002 6:43:50 AM PST by 4CJ
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To: Stand Watch Listen
This account is MoH material, I agree. The President needs to make the right decision here.
11 posted on 03/22/2002 6:45:45 AM PST by The KG9 Kid
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