WWI Heroes Johnson, Shemin Received Medal of Honor
Almost 100 years after their heroic actions during World War I battles in France; and thousands of hours of work from loved ones and advocates two soldiers were honored posthumously with the Medal of Honor. This event took place in the East Room of the White House, on Tuesday, June 2, 2015.
It took 78 years for Private Henry Johnson to be awarded his Purple Heart, and almost 100 years to be recognized with the Medal of Honor. The only timely honor he received was his burial at Arlington National Cemetery. Private Henry Johnson served in the 369th Infantry Regiment's Harlem Hellfighters. Johnson bravely fought off more than a dozen Germans to save a fellow soldier after a sneak attack in France in 1918. And though he returned a war hero, he died in poverty. Though the French recognized him with their highest military honor, the Croix de Guerre with Gold Palm, the United States did not follow suit. Private Johnson died about a decade later a victim of 21 combat related injuries.
Sgt. William Shemin was an Army rifleman who during a three-day battle in 1918, repeatedly left his platoon's trench to recover wounded soldiers amid a barrage of machine-gun fire. He was hit by shrapnel and a bullet pierced his helmet, lodging behind his left ear. The medal was awarded at the urging of Jewish organizations.
Read MoreIt took 78 years for Private Henry Johnson to be awarded his Purple Heart, and almost 100 years to be recognized with the Medal of Honor. The only timely honor he received was his burial at Arlington National Cemetery. Private Henry Johnson served in the 369th Infantry Regiment's Harlem Hellfighters. Johnson bravely fought off more than a dozen Germans to save a fellow soldier after a sneak attack in France in 1918. And though he returned a war hero, he died in poverty. Though the French recognized him with their highest military honor, the Croix de Guerre with Gold Palm, the United States did not follow suit. Private Johnson died about a decade later a victim of 21 combat related injuries.
Sgt. William Shemin was an Army rifleman who during a three-day battle in 1918, repeatedly left his platoon's trench to recover wounded soldiers amid a barrage of machine-gun fire. He was hit by shrapnel and a bullet pierced his helmet, lodging behind his left ear. The medal was awarded at the urging of Jewish organizations.
