Henry Johnson Research Paper

William Henry Johnson, commonly known as just Henry Johnson, was an American Soldier during World War I. Henry was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina in 1892. During his early teens moved to Albany, New York (United States Army, n.d.). Before enlisting in the United States Army, Henry was a redcap porter for the Albany Union Station. When he enlisted on June 5, 1917, he was assigned to an all-black National Guard unit. Henry was a war hero during World War I in which he saved his comrades lives’ and successfully defended his unit from the enemy. Henry received most of his awards and recognition for his war achievements from the United States many years after his death in 1929. In 1996, Henry received the Purple Heart. In 2002, he received the Distinguished Service Cross and in 2015, he received the Medal of Honor (United States Army, n.d.). I believe Henry Johnson decided to join the Army as an alternative to his demanding and laborious redcap porter job. The Army had guaranteed salary and were looking for recruits. Henry volunteered for the Army so he could feel a bit of patriotism and serve his country. The United States was getting involved in the war and this would be an opportunity to fight for his country. As a soldier with the 369th Infantry Regiment Henry was stationed in France and assigned to a French unit. During his assignment, he fought side by side with the French Army. His act of honor and courage among his own and French service members led him to receive the French Croix de Guerre avec Palme, the highest award earned for valor from France. (United States Army, n.d.) His actions undoubtedly promoted a stronger bond between the United States and France. Prior to World War I, the United States was freely allowing immigrants into the United States. The promise of new hope and a new life enticed many Europeans to immigrate to America. At the time of Pre-World War I, the idea of isolationism was to take care of ourselves and not be involved in other world events. This inevitably evolved as technology increased. …show more content…
Even though the war was the costly, the United States experienced an economic boom during the war. This can be determined by the removal of young workers from the workforce and placing them into the war efforts to increase the military supply production for the soldiers overseas (Lozada, n.d.). For Henry Johnson and many other African Americans the economic impact did not change their financial status. He was never able to reach a middle class lifestyle or a life of ease. At the time of his death, Henry was …show more content…
Henry had an encounter with racism prior to going to war. “For Henry Johnson and his unit, the war almost started on American soil when they came close to a firefight with white Alabama troops stationed nearby (Martin, 2008). “Before, during, and after the war the sight of African Americans in military uniform would be a red flag to southern whites” (Martin, 2008). Although Henry had proven himself in combat, when he returned home he still had the challenges of being in a socially lower class system than white people. Henry had fame for his war accomplishments and often recognized throughout New York but he still had menial