WWI Veteran Honored Posthumously

(EXCERPT) Son Receives Father's Distinguished Service Cross

POSTED: 6:30 a.m. CDT April 11, 2003 UPDATED: 8:31 a.m. CDT April 11,
2003

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A local World War I veteran was honored
posthumously by the Army for his bravery.

Sgt. Henry Johnson was a member of the all-black
369th Army Infantry. KMBC's Brenda Washington reported that Johnson
became a hero when he singlehandedly fought off a group of German
soldiers with only a knife and a gun to rescue a wounded comrade.

"He got wounded 21 times and what he did was stop the Germans from
getting through the French line," son Herman Johnson said.

France awarded Johnson its highest military Medal of Honor, but his
deeds were ignored back home, Washington reported.

"Fighting for your country is an honor, but they would not give black
people any honors," Herman Johnson said.

No longer overlooked, Sgt. Henry Johnson was posthumously awarded the
Army's Distinguished Service Cross for bravery Thursday. The medal was
presented to his son.

"I think it is important to leave a legacy behind, and this is one
of...