The Final State of the Union
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Summary:
Today, President Obama awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously to Army Private Henry Johnson and Army Sergeant William Shemin for conspicuous gallantry during World War I.
Today, in a ceremony at the White House, President Obama awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously to Army Sergeant William Shemin and Army Private Henry Johnson for conspicuous gallantry during World War I.
Sergeant Shemin entered the Army on October 2, 1917. He was assigned as a rifleman to Company G, 47th Infantry Regiment, which moved from Syracuse, New York to Camp Greene, North Carolina, joining the 4th Infantry Division. The Division arrived in France in May, 1918.
Private Johnson entered the Army on June 5, 1917. He was assigned to Company C, 15th New York (Colored) Infantry Regiment, an all-black National Guard unit that would later become the 369th Infantry Regiment. The Regiment was ordered into battle in 1918, and Private Johnson and his unit were brigaded with a French Army colonial unit in front-line combat.
Command Sergeant Major Louis Wilson accepts the Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama awarded posthumously to Army Private Henry Johnson for conspicuous gallantry during World War I, at a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, June 2, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Members of the 369th Infantry Regiment Veterans Association stand as President Barack Obama awards the Medal of Honor posthumously to Army Private Henry Johnson for conspicuous gallantry during World War I, at a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, June 2, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)
President Barack Obama stands with Ina Judith Bass (left) and Elise Shemin-Roth as the citation is read awarding the Medal of Honor posthumously to their father, Army Sergeant William Shemin, for conspicuous gallantry during World War I, at a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, June 2, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)
President Barack Obama stands with Ina Judith Bass (left) and Elise Shemin-Roth as the citation is read awarding the Medal of Honor posthumously to their father, Army Sergeant William Shemin, for conspicuous gallantry during World War I, at a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, June 2, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)
Ina Judith Bass (left) and Elise Shemin-Roth react after accepting the Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama on behalf of their father Army Sergeant William Shemin given posthumously for conspicuous gallantry during World War I, at a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, June 2, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
The Medal of Honor is awarded to members of the Armed Forces who distinguish themselves conspicuously by gallantry above and beyond the call of duty while:
- Engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
- Engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
- Serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
The meritorious conduct must involve great personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual above his or her comrades and must have involved risk of life. There must be incontestable proof of the performance of the meritorious conduct, and each recommendation for the award must be considered on the standard of extraordinary merit.
Get a behind-the-scenes look at a Medal of Honor at the White House.
