SCHUMER ANNOUNCES: NY NATIONAL GUARD AGREES TO BRING SGT. HENRY JOHNSON’S MEDAL OF HONOR TO ALBANY

Schumer Urged NY National Guard In July To Bring Hometown Hero’s Medal of Honor To Albany 

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced today that the New York National Guard will bring Sgt. Henry Johnson’s medal of Honor to his hometown of Albany for temporary display in the near future.

“We have had dozens of Capital Region citizens call and ask if the medal could visit Henry Johnson’s hometown,” said Schumer. “Finally, Albanians and New Yorkers from all over the Capital Region will soon have a chance to see Henry Johnson’s medal in person, in his hometown, very soon.”

Schumer said the National Guard is working with New York state on the final details, which will be announced very soon. In July, Schumer urged the New York National Guard to bring the medal to the City of Albany, Sgt. Johnson’s former home, to display temporarily, where residents and visitors can finally see the Medal of Honor up close and in person.

Schumer worked tirelessly since 1999 to secure this recognition for Sgt. Johnson. Due to racism and segregation, Sgt. Johnson was denied the Medal of Honor for his WW I heroics, as his unit, known as the Harlem Hellfighters, was forced to serve under French command due to segregation. Even though Sgt. Johnson received France’s highest military honor for his exploits, he was not so honored by his own nation, until this year.

In May, Schumer announced that the White House would posthumously award the Medal of Honor to African-American World War I hero and Albany resident, Sgt. Johnson. In June, Schumer and Sgt. Johnson’s infantry regiment, the 369th “Harlem Hellfighters” Division, attended the award ceremony at the White House, where President Obama presented this long-awaited recognition to make right this century-old wrong.

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