CHAPTER XV.
OVER THERE.
HENRY JOHNSON AND NEEDHAM ROBERTS--THE TIGER'S CUBS--NEGRO FIRST TO GET PALM--JOHNSON'S GRAPHIC STORY--SMASHES THE GERMANS--IRVIN COBB'S TRIBUTE--CHRISTIAN AND MOHAMMEDAN NEGROES PALS--VALOR OF 93RD DIVISION--LAUGHTER IN FACE OF DEATH--NEGRO AND POILU HAPPY TOGETHER--BUTTE DE MESNIL--VALIANT AND HUMOROUS ELMER McCOWIN--WINNING WAR CROSSES--VERDICT OF THE FRENCH--THE NEGRO'S FAITH.
A most conspicuous Negro hero of the war, and for that matter of any race serving with the American army, was Sergeant Henry Johnson of Albany, N.Y.His exploit was shared by a company mate, Needham Roberts.
For pure bull dog grit and tigerish fighting, the exploit has seldom, if ever, been equalled in the annals of any war.

It resulted in the War Crosses for each with a special citation, and the whole French force in that section of the Champagne lined up to see them get the decorations.
Across the red and green ribbon of Johnson's decoration was a golden palm, signifying extraordinary valor.

Johnson was the first private of any race in the American army to get the palm with his Croix de Guerre.
Here is the story as told in Johnson's own words after his arrival back in New York: "There isn't so much to tell", said Johnson with characteristic modesty.

"There wasn't anything so fine about it.

Just fought for my life.