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