Henry Johnson — One Man Against a Raiding Party | Gauge #America250

Added: 2026-05-19

[00:00:00]May 15th, 1918. Somewhere in the Argonne Forest.

[00:00:04]Private Henry Johnson of the 369th Infantry was on watch when 24 German soldiers hit his position.

[00:00:12]His rifle jammed after three rounds, so he used it as a club. When that broke, he pulled his bolo knife.

[00:00:19]Johnson fought hand-to-hand in the dark.

[00:00:21]He took 21 wounds and didn't stop swinging. When it was over, four Germans were dead and the rest had run.

[00:00:29]France gave him the Croix de Guerre with gold palm, their highest honor for valor.

[00:00:34]The United States gave him nothing.

[00:00:37]He came home broken, addicted to painkillers from his wounds, and died at 32.

[00:00:43]It took America 97 years to award him the Medal of Honor.

[00:00:47]2015.

[00:00:48]The man fought off 24 soldiers with a knife, and his own country couldn't be bothered to say thank you.

[00:00:55]Uncle Bradock, call me Gage. Let's remember together, always.