In the archives of World War 1
Is penned a story
Of an African American soldier
"Sergeant Henry Johnson"
Nicknamed "Black Death"
Theodore Roosevelt said Henry is "one of the bravest American soldiers in the war"
Only 5 foot 4 inches
Only 127 pounds
Small yet with the heart of a lion
Size was no limit
One fateful night
Attacked by up to 36 German soldiers
He prevented them from capturing his fellow soldier who was badly injured
He resisted them
With only a knife
The butt of his rifle
And hand to hand combat
He received from them
3 gunshots
21 wounds
Injuries from a grenade
Left for dead
He went beyond the call of duty
His bravery
His dedication
His courage
Earned him the name "Black Death"
Honored in a parade in New York City
He waved to spectators out of an open car
Glory for a moment
But then forgotten
Like a page blown away with the wind
A page of history
Cast aside as insignificant
Johnson spoke out
About the racism he endured in the Army
He spoke out about white soldiers refusing to share the trenches with the blacks
He spoke out
About deliberately being put in the front lines of the war
Disposable soldier
Disposable heroes
His discharge papers
Void of mentioning his wounds
Or the valor he displayed
Used and discarded
He was given no disability pay
The nation wanted his service but not his skin
Sure French orders stated
Henry Johnson "gave a magnificent example of courage and energy"
But America did not know
America could not know
Even issued a warrant for his arrest
For he wore his uniform after the prescribed date of his commission
Forgotten soldier
Forgotten warrior
Forgotten hero
A stain on our nation
After the war
He could not make ends meet
His wife left him and took their children
He fell into alcohol addiction
And he died an early death from a heart attack
He died
Poor
Penniless
Unknown
Hero of obscurity
He died alone
Abandoned by the country he fought for
Forsaken hero
Yes buried in Arlington
Given a full military funeral
Awarded the purple heart
67 years later
Awarded the medal of honor
86 years later
Yet too little too late
