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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (May 18, 2011)
local news Forum self. This is who I am. This is who I want to be. Learn from your mistakes to be better than that.” Smith hopes the meeting let the county’s Black men know that there are public forums for them to voice their concerns and definitely a demand from Multnomah County’s Black men, Smith knows there’s a need to hear from others, such as the coun- ty’s Latino community. With budget discussions for the next funding cycle coming up in the next several weeks (for a full schedule, visit www.web.multco.us and click on the budget hearing schedule link), Smith says the input she receives from various groups is valuable in arguing for the con- tinued funding for important programs. “When we are talking about cutting, say, programs that deal with seniors, like Project Independence, all the senior advocates come out in mass to say we can’t afford to cut our programs, we need to protect our seniors, keep them in their homes, in our neighbor- hoods, keep our neighborhoods healthy and strong,” she said. Now when we’re talking about youth or underrepresented minorities in the county having health crises, educa- tional crises, juvenile justice crises, we never hear from those folks. One of my first ‘This was a group who got the opportunity to speak about the issues that impact their lives’ frustrations. “This was a group who got the opportuni- ty to speak about the issues that impact their lives,” she said. Aside from the weekly county council meetings, Smith said she also wants to schedule further public meetings for under- represented communities. While there is PHOTO by Jerry fOsTer continued from page 1 Commissioner Loretta Smith speaks to a full house at a forum aimed at the concerns of African American young men. attempts to give that group a voice and to let them know they have a voice they can use. It’s not always me calling on them. They’re welcome to come in the door anytime and to organize themselves and to let us know what we’re doing right or that we need to improve upon.” All departments are having to deal with a two percent across the board budget cut. The next public budget hearing is being held from 6 to 8 p.m. on May 31 at Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization, 10301 NE Glisan St. Medal continued from page 1 “In light of incredible new, never-before- considered evidence that my office has uncovered, I request that Sergeant Henry Johnson’s case be reopened and that he be expeditiously awarded this long-overdue honor.” Schumer’s staff uncovered new evidence that fulfills the stringent requirements for the award. They discovered chain of com- mand endorsements: a memo from the com- mander of the American Expeditionary Forces, Gen. John Pershing, a report by Johnson’s company commander Maj. Arthur Little, and a letter written by his reg- iment’s commanding officer, Col. William Hayward. The new evidence also includes a required eyewitness account by Needham Roberts, the sentry Johnson rescued; and an impartial account by a visiting military observer. Here’s how Sen. Schumer describes Johnson's selfless acts of courage in the let- ter. “Nearly a century ago, in the early morn- ing hours of May 15, 1918, Sergeant Johnson and his fellow soldier, Private Needham Roberts, were protecting an at outpost along the French-German border when they were attacked by a German raid- ing party numbering about 20, whose inten- tion was to take prisoners and gather intelli- gence. Johnson and Roberts were signifi- cantly outnumbered, and both were injured early in the attack. As the skirmish unfolded and the larger force pressed in, the pair mounted a fierce response which disrupted the attack and resulted in a number of enemy casualties. Nevertheless, as the bat- tle raged on and volleys of grenades and bullets were exchanged, both men experi- enced setbacks that could have led to death or capture: Johnson’s rifle jammed and Roberts was injured so severely that he was unable to stand up. Then with the enemy platoon pressing in, at a point when surrender would seem the only option, Johnson came forth with an extraordinary display of bravery. Without use of his firearm, and with Roberts down, Johnson used his rifle as a club to beat back one of the enemy soldiers. Meanwhile, Roberts had succumbed to two other enemy troops and was being carried away. Despite his own serious injuries, and while exposing himself to enemy fire, Johnson quickly sprang into action to save Roberts from cap- Sgt. Johnson’s son Tuskegee Airman Herman Johnson (right) accepting the Distinguished Service Cross for his father with Vietnam Veteran John Howe (left). ture. He leapt towards the captors and neu- tralized them with only his bare hands and his bolo knife, plunging it into the crown of one of the enemy. Johnson pulled his injured comrade back out of the line of fire, and held the contested ground while rein- forcements arrived. over and Johnson was on the verge of col- lapse due to his near-fatal injuries, as rein- forcements arrived, Johnson hung on long enough to ensure medical care for the man he had just saved. In his eyewitness account, Roberts recalls Johnson’s quick words: “…grab Roberts and rush him to the The new evidence also includes a required eyewitness account by Needham Roberts, the sentry Johnson rescued; and an impartial account by a visiting military observer Finally, having suffered several casualties and with their raiding party in disorder, the Germans made a hasty retreat, abandoning a cache of weapons and gear, and without tak- ing a single life or prisoner. This well- trained, “superior force” (in the words of General John Pershing) was defeated by the stunning demonstration of selfless courage by a lone sentry. Although the battle was hospital, he is seriously wounded.” Johnson fainted soon after. Even though some reports have conflated the actions of Johnson and Roberts, and while Roberts fought bravely, the French recognized that Johnson was the clear hero of the battle, and awarded him their highest possible award for valor: the Croix de Guerre Avec Palme. Johnson was the first American of any race to receive this award.’ During the decades of segregation, Black soldiers were not allowed to serve with their fellow Americans, but instead served with the French forces, including Africans from the French colonies. Accounts from WW1 say it was the African troops who introduced the Hellfighters to bolo knives, like the one Johnson used to such good effect. “It is significant to note that despite the overwhelming success of African American units during World War I and the highest awards and praise from the French, no African American soldier from World War I was awarded the Medal of Honor at the time,” Schumer notes. Finally in 1996, Sgt. Johnson was posthu- mously awarded a Purple Heart,. Then in 2003, his son, Tuskegee Airman Herman Johnson accepted America’s second-high- est honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, for his father. But many campaigners famil- iar with the case, believed that Johnson deserved nothing less than the Medal of Honor. Sen. Ron Wyden has been working with Schumer to gather support in Congress for the award. Other advocates include Vietnam veteran John Howe, Portland City Commissioner Nick Fish, and former Rep. Joe DioGuardi, who worked for many years to gain recognition for Johnson. Schumer closes his letter with a plea that McHugh speedily review the case. “The bold actions of Sergeant Johnson are most deserving of this greatest honor which the United States can bestow on its service members. I realize that consideration of this recommendation will proceed with due deliberation, but I implore you to ensure that the case is reviewed expeditiously so that a historical injustice no longer remains unresolved. It is my great hope that by the 94th anniversary of The Battle of Henry Johnson, Johnson’s granddaughter, his next of kin, can receive the award on his behalf knowing that her grandfather’s legacy will not only be that of a great American war hero, but also will show that it is never too late to correct a historical error.” If McHugh approves the award, he will send his recommendation to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. They would be the last stop before a Congressional vote. may 18, 2011 The Portland and Seattle Skanner Page 3
