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Toledo woman keeps grandfather's Medal of Honor legacy alive

Tara Johnson and her family worked tirelessly to get her grandfather, Sgt. Henry Johnson, recognized for his service in WWI but faced obstacles along the way.

TOLEDO, Ohio — Not everyone can say their grandfather received a Medal of Honor, but for one local woman, it took years of hard work to get that recognition for her grandfather.

Toledo-native, Tara Johnson spoke with WTOL 11 about her grandfather and World War I veteran, Sgt. William Henry Johnson on Sunday. Henry Johnson was a part of the 369 Infantry Regiment, also known as the Harlem Hellfighters.

Johnson was recognized for his heroism during the Great War, specifically for keeping a badly wounded fellow soldier from being taken prisoner by German soldiers while serving in France in May, 1918.

His Medal of Honor citation described the incident this way: 

Private Johnson and another soldier were on sentry duty at a forward outpost when they received a surprise attack from a German raiding party consisting of at least 12 soldiers. While under intense enemy fire and despite receiving significant wounds, Private Johnson mounted a brave retaliation, resulting in several enemy casualties. When his fellow soldier was badly wounded, Private Johnson prevented him from being taken prisoner by German forces. Private Johnson exposed himself to grave danger by advancing from his position to engage an enemy soldier in hand-to-hand combat. Wielding only a knife and gravely wounded himself, Private Johnson continued fighting and took his Bolo knife and stabbed it through an enemy soldier's head. Displaying great courage, Private Johnson held back the enemy force until they retreated. Private Johnson's extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

While the journey to see her grandfather honored had its challenges, Tara Johnson said it was well worth the fight for her grandfather to finally receive the nation's highest military award. She said it could not have been done without her own father, Herman Johnson who kept her grandfather's story alive for so many years.

"He did an excellent job at keeping my grandad's story alive along with John Hall and Senator Schumer," Tara Johnson said..

Henry Johnson died in 1929. He wasn't recognized with the Medal of Honor until June, 2015, when President Barack Obama posthumously recognized his heroism.

But with the support and endless fight from her father and elected leaders she said the family was finally able to see Henry Johnson recognized for his heroism.

"He fit the criteria, it was never about the family, it was always about him and we finally achieved our goal, and so it was time," Tara Jonson said.

Tara Johnson said she is hoping her grandfather's story can help other soldiers be recognized regardless of their skin color or background because she said there is still more to be done.

"We need to make sure that we award these soldiers that are honorably serving our country that put their lives on the line for us and let us enjoy the freedoms that we do and not hesitate on that," she said.

On June 13, Fort Johnson in Louisiana was redesignated for Henry where Tara and her own family were able to attend. General David Gardner helped plan the re-designation ceremony.

Tara Johnson's father had died and was not able to attend, but she said her grandfather's legacy would not be honored without all he did during his lifetime to keep the story alive.

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