[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 87 (Tuesday, June 2, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E826]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN HONOR OF HARLEM HELLFIGHTER SERGEANT HENRY JOHNSON RECEIVING A 
                       POSTHUMOUS MEDAL OF HONOR

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 2, 2015

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sergeant Henry 
Johnson. Sergeant Henry Johnson epitomizes what it means to be a great 
American hero and patriot. I thank President Barack Obama for 
posthumously awarding the Medal of Honor to Sgt. Johnson, a New York 
native and distinguished member of the 369th Infantry Regiment, 
popularly known as the `Harlem Hellfighters.' With our nation's highest 
honor of valor bestowed upon Sgt. Johnson, his legacy will be enduring 
and highlighted in the annals of history.
  As a black soldier living in the first decades of the 20th Century, 
Sgt. Johnson never saw the accolades he so rightly deserved during his 
lifetime. He enlisted in the military soon after Congress declared war 
on Germany in June 1917, and was assigned to Company C, 15th New York 
(Colored) Infantry Regiment--an all-black National Guard unit, which 
would later become the 369th Infantry Regiment of the 93rd Division, 
American Expeditionary Forces. The following year, the 369th deployed 
to France where Sgt. Johnson fought off advancing German soldiers who 
were trying to raid his French and American camp. Even as he was 
wounded 21 times, Sgt. Johnson risked his own life to save a fellow 
soldier from being captured or killed. Indeed, Sgt. Johnson valiantly 
held back the enemy force until they retreated.
  In addition to earning respect from his fellow American and French 
soldiers, Sgt. Johnson's remarkable deed of courage inspired other 
black soldiers like me to salute the flag and serve our country with 
pride and distinction. As a Korean War Veteran, I learned from Sgt. 
Johnson and other heroes of the 369th Infantry Regiment who fought in 
World War I and World War II the true meaning of service and sacrifice 
for the nation.
  Since its inception, the `Harlem Hellfighters' of the 369th Infantry 
Regiment have participated in every conflict since World War I, 
including the battles we fight today. I am honored to belong to the 
369th Harlem Hellfighter Veterans' Association based in Harlem of my 
congressional district. Along with my dear friend Percy Ellis Sutton, 
Major General Nathaniel James, the first African American Commander of 
the New York State Guard, Korean War Veteran Donald H. Eaton, Civil 
Rights Attorney Paul Zuber and William K. Defosset, who served in the 
U.S. State Department and the New York Police Department were all 
active members who helped pass my bill in Congress to secure the 
Federal Charter for the Association. In 2003 when Sgt. Johnson was 
posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, we said we would 
not stop fighting until Sgt. Johnson was awarded the Medal of Honor. 
The late Filmmaker William Miles who was also a member and documented 
the history of the Harlem Hellfighters in the film, ``Men of Bronze'' 
played a huge role in raising the awareness of Sgt. Johnson's heroism. 
Today is a victorious day for all of us, the people of Harlem, African 
Americans, our comrades in arms, friends in Congress and the community, 
as it marks a significant milestone in American history. We are 
exceedingly proud to see that Sgt. Henry Johnson has finally received 
the proper recognition he has duly earned.

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