Soldier who Defeated 32 Germans WITHOUT Bullets - Harlem Hell-fighters WW1 

Discord server: discord.gg/JZsPQXHeYC

He should get his own movie

When your enemy respects and commends you more than your own country does...

How they got his balls into a coffin is just as impressive. Rest in peace American warrior.

My great grandfather was one of these guys. When he passed away in the early 1970s he was buried with his “doughboy” helmet and his French combat medals. One of the toughest men I EVER met…!

Henry Johnson Summed up as a man : " A hero to America, a hero to France, a man who died too young, almost a hundered years since passing we now honor him, may his name forever live on."

It’s good to see Henry Johnson finally get the medal of honour after 97 years of campaigning for his bravery action and his story should be made a Hollywood movie.

He was a household name in our house. My kids knew who he was. Henry Johnson Blvd. in Albany NY is named for him. He absolutely should have received the Medal of Honor during his life, and a full military disability pension. He refused to give up because he was fighting for the man he was with, and the others behind him. He refused to be beaten, and so he wasn’t.

Thank you for not sugar coating the racial aspect of Henry Johnson’s story. So important for ppl to understand how poorly he was treated by his own country.

In my opinion, He got respect from his enemy more than his own country.😢

The Africa Americans get the last laugh against the racism in the US Army as The Harlem Hellfighters become one of the most celebrated African-American regiments of WW1.

His unit got its homage in Battlefield 1, featuring the "Harlem Hellfighters" weapons kit and the codex entry with their history

This man saved a whole US army regiment & the french soldiers from being slaughtered by the Germans and the USA still treated this man in a dishonorable manner.

To the people working on simple history, you all deserve praise for your hard work. Your videos are getting better. Past, present and future, the fighting spirit will die. Henry Johnson is the perfect example of said spirit.

You achieve immortality when a battle you fought in is named for you, rather than merely where you fought it. RIP,, Sergeant Johnson (Salute)

He should be just as known as Audie Murphy, who was given so many awards for his courage. Johnson deserved a lot of recognition too, because Johnson was fighting two major wars at the same time, but fought like a madman who loved his country! Omitting our contributions goes way back!🥺

As a Marine veteran... I shall remember his name and tell future kids about him.

Henry Johnson is literally WW1's John Henry.

From a land across the ocean To the western front, where they served Fought with courage and devotion Preconceptions turned!

Happy to report that the US Army installation in Vernon Parish, Louisiana formerly known as Fort Polk has been officially renamed Fort Johnson, in honor of William Henry Johnson, as of June 13th, 2023.

This story doesn’t even makes sense, how is such a thing possible? Incredible 🙌🏼

Henry Johnson, a tragic American hero. Simple History does a great job emphasizing such stories for all to learn and know.

Sad that one of our country's greatest heroes wasn't recognized for his valor at the time. But at least he FINALLY got the recognition he so justly deserved.

THIS is the kind of history we need taught in schools.

Wow, that’s a pretty heroic and sad story. Dude sacrifices basically everything and all he got from his country was no work & loss of his wife and children.

There is a great graphic novel called “The Harlem Hellfighters” that cover the Hellfighters and Johnson very well.

It's more than a pity that he never received the respect he deserved in life. He was truly an American hero... may he Rest In Peace.

This is the type of series I live for actually educating people on real heroes and not just false narratives from the past

“Fought for my life, a rabbit woulda done that.”

Imagine fighting for a country (and a system) that despises you and treats you as a lower class person. I find it hard to conceive...

Thank you very much for posting this!

I salute you sir. Such bravery against all odds.

"Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them."-William Shakespeare

As a digital nomad, I now see why these black soldiers either brought wives home or stayed abroad. The respect overseas especially for black vets is night & day compared to the states. There's statues of black American soldiers in the Philippines for fighting along with Filipinos. I didn't even know that was a thing until I moved over here. I guess that history is considered woke too.

The sacrifices that our African brothers and sisters must be told and remembered at all cost!.And never ever be forgotten!.rip hero henry Johnson🙏🏾

Badass! True will to survive and stick by his brother.

the animation quality on this channel gets more and more stellar by the video

I literally shed a tear for this man.

Thank you for bringing this story up!

I like this and about time someone reported and made this good of an animated video about the Harlem Hellfighters and the men that served within it, and should be known and shown to people that do not know their history. One man can make a difference!Peace

William Henry Johnson, commonly known as Henry Johnson or black death, was a United States Army soldier who performed heroically in the first African American unit of the United States Army to engage in combat in World War I. On watch in the Argonne Forest on May 14, 1918, he fought off a German raid in hand-to-hand combat, killing multiple German soldiers and rescuing a fellow soldier while suffering 21 wounds, in an action that was brought to the nation's attention by coverage in the New York World and The Saturday Evening Post later that year. On June 2, 2015, he was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama in a posthumous ceremony at the White House. In 1918, the French awarded Johnson with a Croix de guerre with star and bronze palm. He was the first U.S. soldier in World War I to receive that honor. Johnson died, poor and in obscurity, in 1929. There was a long struggle to achieve awards for him from the U.S. military. He was finally awarded the Purple Heart in 1996. In 2002, the U.S. military awarded him the Distinguished Service Cross. Previous efforts to secure the Medal of Honor failed, but in 2015 he was posthumously honored with the award. On May 24, 2022, The Naming Commission recommended that Fort Polk in Leesville, Louisiana, be renamed Fort Johnson after Henry Johnson, rather than its existing namesake, Confederate General Leonidas Polk.

I’ve always had a great admiration For the Harlem hellfighiters. Who would have thought that a throwaway regiment would end up becoming one of the most decorated regents of the war? Their exploits on the battlefield were legendary. There should be a Movie about the Harlem hellfighters. It would be just like Glory, only it would take place in WWI.

What a hero and he was repaid with a slap in the face but let’s hope he gets more recognition of his bravery

Thank you for putting truth out. The man deserves all the honor due a true warrior.

These men were the ones who had the real ww1 hand combat battles

Thank you for educating me - I live not far from Henry Johnson BLVD in Albany, NY and never had a clue who this amazing man was. I will remember him as I traverse the boulevard bearing his hallowed name and memory.

A lot of thanks to this very brave man. Greetings from France.❤

animations are getting smooth as butter, great show!

As a WWI buff thanks for this. True story was African Americans came to the French Army with Jazz music which is how it was introduced to Europe. The French really appreciated the black American soldiers and offered them French citizenship after the war. Unfortunately, most turned it down because they couldn't speak French.

An incredible man. Needam was also very brave for staying in the fight and helping Henry any way he could while he went on his rampage. If there wasn’t already a movie with the title, I’d say that when this guy gets a movie made about him it should be called Hardcore Henry. *haha* What a badass. And honestly your channel with the reach it has, will definitely get this guy a lot more much deserved recognition. Thanks for sharing this!

While he definitely deserves to be a household name, I think you’ve done a good thing by using your channel to spread the word. Hopefully people will see this and his legacy will continue to grow

The introduction mission of Battlefield 1 is based off of this, and the main character of that mission was most likely based on him too. The infantry u play as at the start and end of the mission is the Harlem Hellfighters.

*Press F to pay respects* 💜🎖️

Now that Fort Polk in Louisiana has been renamed Fort Henry Johnson, more Americans will know about him, as they should have a long time ago.

Thank you for this video.

God bless this brave American soldier. I will hold his memory in high regard for the rest of my days as both a recipient of his service to defend us from our enemies and as a fellow former American soldier. RIP brother. Whoah! 🫡

The hellfighters are underrated

Do a video on mr krabs during his days in the navy

Thank you for sharing this with us! I never heard of this man. 🙂👍🏾

Thanks for sharing this story

I can't imagine what it felt like for those to valiantly serve next to and be championed as a hero in France and then spit on and beaten when they got home for the effort.

Henry Johnson was the bravest African-American soldier to serve in WW1.God bless him 🇺🇲

7:33 I really wonder if Wilson's praise was genuine, because well, if you know anything what the man did its really a wonder.

Thank you so, so, so very much for telling this story.

Hotep God bless you for doing this extremely important part of our History long been over looked ✊🏿💚🖤❤️

imagine fighting overseas then coming back and having to fight for your right when you come home.. it's wild

The Harlem Hellfighters deserve a lot more praise than they get. RIP Henry Johnson

❤️❤️❤️ . Thx for the video !

You always find your True Brothers and Unmatched Love on the battlefield 💜

One of his sons became a red tail pilot during WW2

Good on France and the French people for recognizing these brave heroes. These brave men. Vive la France! ❤

As a famous German field Marshall said after declaring “I have fought the British, the Russians, the French, the Belgians etc (they fought everyone) he said no one was quite like fighting the “American gangster” they are unpredictable, and do not give up when they should. I love my country 🇺🇸

This is why you never fight for people that despise you.

A true American hero. Unbelievably brave and courageous actions by this man. May he rest in peace.

These guys were beasts of men, if only us American's had a more open minded view back then.

This is one of those stories i would expect to see a ovie coming out, sharing this story. Awe inspiring.

This is a true war hero, the type legends are formed for.

A true shame he wasn’t given the gratitude he deserved by the American people at the time. Not many true warriors of his caliber

When you have to fight twice as hard to get half the respect!😟

Respect sir! Love your story.

This is beyond amazing. I heard of the hellfighters, but knew nothing of Sergant Johnson to this extent.

"They push,we push."

“We can not change the past, but we can change the future.” If your willing to fight for freedom, I don’t care who you are, your one thing to me: an American. This reminds me of the 761st tank battalion. Although under one of best generals, he was a racist one as well. Dispirited that, one of the men who severed, conducted an interview with Patton 360. One of the other members of the the 4th armored division was quoted as saying “I’d fight by them tomorrow” Personally, they are heroes in every aspect.

This story was told with a high level of expertise and knowledge. I will definitely highlight Henry Johnson on my channel soon. Great work!👍🏾

As a Marine veteran, I salute you Henry Johnson. Rest in peace Sir. Semper Fi...

Thank you Henry Johnson! You were an amazing man

African Americans: We’ll finally get the respect we deserve by serving in the military! White Americans: lol nah!

Some people really don't get their recognition they deserve while they're still alive 🙏🏽

0:09 Love that reference to BF1 (The background). All in all, great video!

The band 1914 made a song of this battle Don't Tread on Me (Harlem Hellfighters)

Love it when simple history keeps it real keep up the good work

Used to watch this channel all the time but forgot about it... glad i found it again :) also shoutout to winston!

He should have been as equally famous and lauded by the public along with Sgt. York and Eddie Rickenbacker.

Glad y’all gave him a video! “God damn, let’s go!”

A biggest salute for his kindness and his guts🙏🏽💯

Netflix should have adapting stories like this

Love this channel so damn much!!!

He should definitely be well known. Thank you Simple History for making this video.

Im glad simple history gave them this gives him justice and that fame i hope they do make a movie about him one day

I had to make a powerpoint on this guy back in 7th Grade, best project I got to work with.