File:William Henry Johnson (1892-1929) obituary by the Catholic News Service agency in the Pittsburgh Courier on 13 July 1929.jpg

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Taps Sounded For Great War Hero. Washington, D. C., July 11, 1929 — (By C. N. S.) — Taps sounded Friday for William Henry Johnson, one of the greatest heroes who crossed to France with the American Expeditionary Forces, the first American to win the Croix de Guerre in the World War, whose bravery and daring feat during two years in No Man's Land won for him almost every medal and citation given during the war. Johnson died Tuesday, July 2, almost in poverty. He was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, Friday afternoon. His wife, Mrs. Minnie Johnson, survives him. Johnson served with the 369th Infantry, formerly the New York Infantry, which was brigaded with French troops at the front. Late one night word came that the Germans were preparing to attack and planned to cap. tore the Negro regiment. Immediately they organized for defense and in order to warn the troop, of their danger, sentinels were placed along the front lines, Johnson with Private Needham Roberts, was sent to do sentinel duty at a small outpost on the front line of the trenches. The attack came in the middle of the night at the point where Johnson and Roberts were stationed, and they soon found themselves cut off from regimental headquarters, with only their pistols and a few hand grenades. They were soon discovered and the Germans opened fire, wounding Johnson three times and Roberts twice, but despite their weakness due to loss of blood they refused to surrender. The Germans crept closer and closer and finally discovering that the brave Americans had exhausted their ammunition, rushed in to seize them. They were about to drag Roberts away, when Johnson attacked them, smashing right and left with the handle of his revolver, and slashing effectively with his bold knife, which had the weight of a cleaver and the blade of a razor. Stunned by the sheer bravery of their lone attacker, the Roche marauders one by one turned and fled, but not before several had been killed. and many seriously wounded. It was for this feat that he was awarded the Croix de Guerre. The name of Johnson will be recorded in the annals of history as one of the greatest heroes of the race and the World War. Many of his medals are exhibited by the National Museum.