Henry Johnson’s Heroic Stand with Harlem’s 369th Regiment
The 369th Infantry Regiment began as Harlem’s own in 1916, training without even an armory. When war came, these Black soldiers faced doubt from their own military leaders.
Yet in May 1918, Henry Johnson showed what they could do.
Armed with just a rifle, grenades, and finally a bolo knife, he fought off twelve German raiders in the dark French night. His unit went on to fight a record 191 days in the trenches without losing ground.
The story of these “Harlem Hellfighters” comes alive at the World War I Memorial in Washington, where bronze figures tell the tale of sacrifice that changed America.
Black New Yorkers Formed Their Own Regiment Against All Odds
New York State approved its first Black National Guard regiment on June 2, 1913.
The 15th New York Infantry Regiment got Governor Charles Whitman’s backing after the 10th Cavalry showed their worth in Mexico.
With no proper building, the soldiers trained at Lafayette Hall on Seventh Avenue and 132nd Street in Harlem. About 200 Black New Yorkers made up the first group when they formed on June 29, 1916.
Many Black Americans joined because they thought military service would help fight racism and show their love for country. National Guard leaders didn’t make it easy, though – many didn’t want Black soldiers.
Volunteers Rushed to Join When America Entered the War
When America joined World War I in April 1917, the 15th New York quickly filled up.
Over 2,000 men signed up from everywhere – New York City, upstate areas, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and as far as Virginia.
The Army took control of the regiment on July 25, 1917, and sent them to Camp Whitman in Dutchess County to learn basic military skills.
Colonel William Hayward, a white officer from the Union League Club, led the regiment, following the pattern from the Civil War. The new soldiers learned basics like how to salute, fight, and march together.
Southern Racism Hit the Regiment Hard During Training
The regiment went to Camp Wadsworth in Spartanburg, South Carolina in October 1917. They trained for battle in setups made to look like French battlefields.
Local people and other military units treated them badly, showing the deep racism of the South. White soldiers refused to serve next to Black troops, creating problems that affected where they would fight later.
The Army even held back proper uniforms and weapons during much of their training. They saw firsthand how wrong it was to fight for freedom overseas while facing hate at home.
The Ship Broke Down Three Times Before Reaching France
The 15th Infantry Regiment left New York Port on December 27, 1917, on a broken-down transport ship. Their boat broke down and caught fire, forcing them to try leaving three times before finally crossing the Atlantic.
They reached Brest, France on January 1, 1918, where they shocked French soldiers by playing jazz music of “La Marseillaise.
” The band led by James Reese Europe showed many French people American jazz for the first time. Despite all their fighting training, the Army first gave them labor jobs like unloading ships and building roads.
French Commanders Welcomed Black Troops While Americans Kept Them Away
On March 1, 1918, the Army renamed the 15th Infantry as the 369th Infantry Regiment, but kept them doing labor work. General John J.
Pershing gave the 369th to the French 16th Division on April 8, 1918. This move kept American racial lines while giving the French badly needed soldiers.
French commanders gladly took the help since they already worked with Black colonial troops from their empire.
The 369th traded their American gear for French helmets, Berthier rifles, and other equipment after three weeks of training.
French soldiers usually treated the Black Americans with more respect than their own countrymen.
The Hellfighters Faced German Attacks Before Other American Units
The 369th stepped into front-line trenches on April 15, 1918, in the Champagne region near the Argonne Forest. They fought more than a month before most other American forces saw major action.
The regiment took positions during the huge German Spring Offensive, right away facing tough warfare. French commanders quickly noticed how brave and skilled they were in battle.
After months of digging ditches and unloading supplies, the soldiers finally got their chance to prove themselves as fighters.
Henry Johnson Fought Off 24 Germans With Just a Knife
On May 15, 1918, Private Henry Johnson and Private Needham Roberts stood guard at a forward post during the night.
Around 2:00 AM, they spotted German wire cutters and suddenly came under attack from 12-24 German soldiers.
Johnson fired his three rifle rounds, threw all his grenades, then jumped into hand-to-hand fighting with his bolo knife.
He stabbed one German soldier in the head and cut open another’s stomach while stopping them from taking Roberts.
Johnson got 21 wounds but drove off the entire German raid, earning the nickname “Black Death” from impressed French allies.
The Regiment Never Lost Ground During 191 Days of Combat
Johnson and Roberts became the first Americans to get the French Croix de Guerre avec Palme, France’s highest award for bravery.
American newspapers spread the story of their heroic fight, making them among the most famous American soldiers early in the war.
The 369th spent 191 straight days in front-line trenches, longer than almost any other American unit.
They fought in major battles including Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, the Second Battle of the Marne, and Meuse-Argonne.
French soldiers called them “Men of Bronze” while Germans supposedly called them “Hellfighters” because they fought so fiercely.
First Allied Troops to Reach the Rhine Earned Hundreds of Medals
On November 20, 1918, the 369th became the first Allied regiment to reach the Rhine River in Germany.
Throughout their service, they never lost an inch of ground during 191 days of combat and never had a single man captured by the enemy.
More than 170 individual soldiers received the French Croix de Guerre for valor, and the entire regiment got a unit citation.
The regiment suffered about 1,500 casualties but only received 900 replacements during their time in France. Despite their amazing combat record, American military leaders denied them recognition equal to white units.
Harlem Threw a Massive Welcome Home Parade
The 369th returned to New York on February 10, 1919, after being denied passage on the USS Virginia because of racial segregation.
On February 17, 1919, the regiment paraded up Fifth Avenue to crowds of about 250,000 people.
The parade started at 23rd Street, went north past white spectators, then continued to Harlem where Black New Yorkers packed the sidewalks.
Many Black schools let children out for the day to watch the parade, turning it into an unofficial holiday for Harlem.
James Reese Europe led the regimental band playing jazz music throughout the seven-mile march from Manhattan to Harlem.
Their Service Changed America Despite Continued Discrimination
The February 17, 1919, parade became a powerful symbol of African American service and a reference point for future civil rights efforts.
Despite their heroic fighting, the soldiers came back to a segregated America where they still faced discrimination.
The Army officially demobilized the 369th on February 28, 1919, and brought it back into the National Guard in 1920.
Henry Johnson died poor and forgotten in 1929 but later received the Purple Heart (1996), Distinguished Service Cross (2002), and Medal of Honor (2015).
The regiment’s combat record helped shift American views about Black soldiers and contributed to the eventual integration of the military decades later.
Visiting World War I Memorial, Washington
The World War I Memorial at Pershing Park on 14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW honors Henry Johnson and the 369th Infantry Regiment’s groundbreaking service.
You can visit anytime since it’s open 24/7 year-round with free admission. The memorial includes General Pershing’s statue and a peace fountain with reflecting pool.
Park Rangers answer questions and run programs about the regiment’s historic 191 days in combat trenches. Metered street parking and nearby garages are available.
This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.
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