LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim May 14, 2012, as Battle of Henry Johnson Day in the State of
New York for his display of uncommon heroism

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who have
given, through their personal heroism, positive and salutary definition
to America's Armed Forces, did so profoundly strengthen our shared
commitment to the exercise of freedom; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and fully consistent with our
pledged commitment to the veterans of this Beloved Nation, it is the
intent of this Legislative Body to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
to proclaim May 14, 2012, as Battle of Henry Johnson Day in the State of
New York, in recognition of the World War I veteran's display of uncom-
mon heroism; and
WHEREAS, A railroad baggage handler in Albany, New York, Henry Johnson
volunteered for the United States Army on June 5, 1917, two months after
war was declared on April 6; he joined the all-black 15th New York
Infantry, a National Guard unit, which went overseas in December of 1917
and became, on March 15, 1981, the 369th U.S. Infantry, based in Harlem;
and
WHEREAS, During World War I, the 369th became known as the "Harlem
Hell Fighters," a name given them by the German forces; and
WHEREAS, While on guard duty on May 14, 1918, then-Private Johnson and
fellow soldier Needham Roberts, came under attack by a German raider
party of two dozen; Roberts was wounded and captured and despite
sustaining 21 wounds, Johnson followed the enemy, fatally shooting one
German, and when his gun jammed, using his bayonet to kill several
others; and
WHEREAS, Henry Johnson saved countless lives by putting the enemy to
flight after this surprise attack; and
WHEREAS, Henry Johnson was promoted to Sergeant later in May 1918; he
became the first American of any color, in any conflict, to receive the
Croix de Guerre, France's highest military decoration; and
WHEREAS, President Theodore Roosevelt referred to Henry Johnson as
"one of the five bravest Americans; and
WHEREAS, After the end of the war, Johnson returned to upstate New
York; he died, penniless, on the streets of Albany, New York, in 1929;
in 2002, his grave was found in Arlington National Cemetery; and
WHEREAS, In 1996, Henry Johnson was posthumously awarded the Purple
Heart; in 2003, he was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service
Cross, the Army's second-highest award; and
WHEREAS, In 2011, uncovered new evidence strengthens the Sergeant
Henry Johnson case for the Medal of Honor, particularly the memo from
General John Pershing, the World War I Army Commander in Chief, which
details Henry Johnson's bravery and self-sacrifice during the May 14,
1918, fight; this document is critical to Johnson's case because receiv-
ing the Medal of Honor requires a chain-of-command endorsement; a
second, and also, significant, new piece of primary historical documen-
tation has been found, an eyewitness description from the soldier John-
son saved, Needham Roberts; and
WHEREAS, Henry Johnson is a true American hero and deserves to be
recognized, commended, acknowledged and remembered by the people of New
York State and our Nation; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to most emphatically
urge the United States Army to reopen the Johnson case for a Medal of
Honor, and in keeping with its most sacred traditions, award the Medal
of Honor, posthumously, to Sergeant Henry Johnson; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations and
respectfully memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 14,
2011, as Battle of Henry Johnson Day in the State of New York, in recog-
nition of the heroic action of Sergeant Johnson during World War I, and
to urge all citizens of this State to display the Nation's Flag that day
to honor Sergeant Henry Johnson; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of New York State;
Senator Charles Schumer; Army Secretary, John McHugh; and William Kraus,
Acting Director of the New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs.