Fort Polk, Louisiana, was renamed Tuesday after a black US soldier who posthumously received a Purple Heart and the Medal of Honor during World War I and spoke openly about the racism he experienced throughout his military career, according to CNN. It was decided.

The redesignation from Fort Polk to Fort Johnson marks seven of the nine Army bases that underwent a renaming process in a congressional-led move to strip the Department of Defense (DOD) of its titles that honor the Confederacy. be the second. Sergeant Henry Johnson, from whom the facility’s new name came, became known for fighting off nearly 20 German soldiers and killing at least four while on duty in a segregated unit. according to to CNN.

“Sergeant. Henry Johnson embodies the spirit of a warrior and we are very honored to bear his name in the House of Heroes.” told CNN in a copy of his remarks prepared for (Related: Army base named after Confederate leader renamed after Hispanic general)

“Sergeant. Johnson’s acts of selfless service during World War I were an inspiration to those at our facilities who have trained and deployed American men and women to fight and win our nation’s wars for over 80 years. I will give,” he added.

Two months after the United States entered World War I, Johnson enlisted in the Quarantine Unit in Harlem, New York. according to To the Army press release. He was assigned to a French infantry unit and became a national hero for repelling a German raiding party on May 15, 1918 with “buttstocks, grenades, fists and Bolo knives” and rescuing captured soldiers. played.

The Army said he was seriously injured during the war and was unable to resume his cargo handling job.

According to the Army, Johnson was the first U.S. soldier recognized by the French military to receive the French Croix de Guerre, but the U.S. honored Johnson for his actions until he died of tuberculosis-induced myocarditis in 1929. didn’t. Johnson’s agent was awarded the Purple Heart in 2002 and the Medal of Honor in 2015.

The army said it canceled a speaking tour for Mr Johnson in retaliation after Mr Johnson spoke out against anti-black discrimination within the army.

After years of advocacy, today Fort Polk is officially renamed Fort Johnson in honor of American hero, Albany resident, Harlem Hellfighter and Medal of Honor recipient Sergeant John Johnson. It was decided to be Henry Johnson! https://t.co/r6kiiKvSVJ

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) June 13, 2023

“As a black American whose bravery was not recognized at the time, Sgt. Johnson embodied the values ​​of the Army and was the epitome of strength,” said the brigadier general. General Isabelle Rivera Smith, chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the New York National Guard, said in a statement, according to CNN.

The base was previously named for Confederate General Leonidas Polk, a New Orleans native who was killed in action in 1864, according to the Army.

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