William Henry JohnsonPast-president Tink Hill gave us another interesting slice of history that should be more known than it is. He told us about William Henry Johnson and the Harlem Hellfighters. Before the U.S. entered World War I, a black National Guard troop was formed in Harlem. The French and British were requesting replacement troops from the U.S., but even after we declared war, General Pershing said he would not allow U.S. troops to fight under French or British control. However, after the National Guard troops were activated, training between Black regiments and other regiments did not go well. The National Guard troop from Harlem was then transferred as the 369th infantry regiment to Europe and used as labor. However, when the French continued to demand replacement troops, they were transferred to French control. The French welcomed the 3000 strong regiment and treated them as equals. The 369th was on the front line for 191 days fighting with the French; they never gave up territory and none of them were captured. The unit as a whole was given the Croix de Guerre by the French. The German troops were the ones who named them “Hellfighters” since they fought so hard. William Henry Johnson was one of those soldiers. He and a second soldier, Needham Roberts, were in a listening post when they heard German troops approaching. They threw their grenades until they ran out, and after Private Roberts was injured, Johnson continued to fight using his rifle until it jammed, and then using his bolo knife and his fists to hold off the Germans until additional troops arrived. He was wounded 21 times and apparently killed or injured up to 30 German troops. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French for his actions that day. Although the story was reported in the U.S., when the 369th and Private Johnson returned to the States, they were not treated well, and he died in poverty. It wasn’t until decades later, long after he had died, that Private Johnson was awarded a Purple Heart by President Clinton, and then the Medal of Honor by President Obama. Tink ended his presentation by showing us a video about the Harlem Hellfighters. Despite their treatment in the U.S., these men fought bravely and with honor along side the French. Thanks to Tink, we have learned more about them.