Henry Johnson, SGT

Henry Johnson (June 11, 1850 – January 31, 1904) was a Buffalo Soldier in the United States Army and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Indian Wars of the western United States.

Biography

In 1879, Johnson served as a Sergeant in Company D of the 9th Cavalry Regiment. From October 2, to October 5, of that year, at Milk River, Colorado, Johnson "voluntarily left fortified shelter and under heavy fire at close range made the rounds of the pits to instruct the guards, [and] fought his way to the creek and back to bring water to the wounded."

Johnson died in 1904 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. His grave can be located in section 23, lot 16547.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company D, 9th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Milk River, Colo., 2-October 5, 1879. Entered service at:------. Birth: Boynton, Va. Date of issue: September 22, 1890.

Citation:

Voluntarily left fortified shelter and under heavy fire at close range made the rounds of the pits to instruct the guards, fought his way to the creek and back to bring water to the wounded.