Louisiana Army Base Renamed to Honor Black

WWI Hero

Community College in Franklin, Virginia, and the School Board Association. Lee produced the educational program titled “Though My Eyes”, a weekly educational program on TV Channel 40.

Lee’s leadership influence was extensive, comprehensive and seemingly unparalleled as reflected in the numerous policy roles he served. He served on the board of directors for BB&T Bank; Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce; Chesapeake Cares; Chesapeake General Hospital (Advisory); United Way of Hampton Roads(advisory Board); and Vice Chairman SEECEP. Lee also served as member of numerous organizations such as Chesapeake Rotary Club, Fourth Congressional District Education Association; Fraternal Order of Police; NAACP; Virginia Import Export Committee; United Way of Hampton Road Advisory Board; and Federal Executive Association of Tidewater.

Smith was a committed and devoted Christian and served as Ordained Deacon at New Light Baptist Church, chairman of the board of deacons at New Mount Olive Baptist church; deacon at Union Baptist Missionary Church; and vice chairman of the Missionary Sunday School Union of Chesapeake, Virginia.

As an entrepreneur and businessman, Smith owned and operated a Building Maintenance Janitorial Consulting program.

The family kindly requests that any memorial contribution be made to charity of their choice in honor of Lee Wesley Smith, Sr.’s memory.

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia

In an effort to address historic racial injustice, a U.S. Army base in western Louisiana has been renamed to honor the heroic legacy of Sgt. William Henry Johnson, an African American soldier who displayed extraordinary bravery during World War I.

Previously, the base bore the name of Leonidas Polk, a Confederate commander.

This renaming is part of the broader efforts within the U.S. military to rectify past injustices, including the renaming of nine Army posts that had previously commemorated Confederate officers.

Brig. Gen. David Garner, the commanding general of the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Johnson, expressed profound honor in bearing the name of Sgt. William Henry Johnson.

Describing Johnson as the epitome of the warrior spirit, Garner made this announcement via a post on Twitter.

The National Museum of the United States Army recounts the awe-inspiring account of Johnson’s bravery on the front lines of France in 1918, where he valiantly repelled a German night raid near the Argonne Forest.

Wounded a staggering 21 times during the intense confrontation, Johnson fearlessly fought off the attacking forces.

Selflessly, he also safeguarded a fellow wounded Black comrade from being taken captive.

Having exhausted his supply of grenades and ammunition, Johnson resorted to using his knife to eliminate two German soldiers. His relentless and determined assaults shattered the morale of the German troops, ultimately forcing them to retreat.

After surviving the war, President Theodore Roosevelt saluted Johnson’s bravery by naming him one of the five bravest Americans to serve in the conflict.

However, Johnson humbly dismissed the notion of heroism, stating, “There wasn’t anything so fine about it. Just fought for my life. A rabbit would have done that.”

Despite his outstanding actions, the Army failed to recognize his courage during his lifetime, denying him a disability allowance and neglecting to award him a Purple Heart. Nearly a century later, in 2015, Johnson posthumously received the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Sadly, Johnson’s war injuries took a toll on his life after his return to Albany, New York.

Struggling with his health, he succumbed to a heart condition at 32 in 1929.

In honoring Johnson, the U.S. Army has taken a significant stride towards rectifying historical racial injustices and acknowledging the immense contributions of African American soldiers to the nation’s defense, military officials said. They said the move represents a significant step forward in fostering a more equitable and representative military landscape.