Dr. John L. Johnson, associate dean of Winston-Salem State University’s School of Health Sciences, has written a book highlighting Congressional Medal of Honor winners of color.
The book’s premise came about as a result of Johnson overhearing a conversation among several teenagers on an Atlanta street about the Congressional Medal of Honor. One asked the other if he had ever heard of it (Medal of Honor) before and the response came back “no.” Then the young man wondered aloud if any African-Americans had ever received that medal. The other said “probably not.” That exchange led to Johnson’s self-published research creation, Every Night and Every Morn (title comes from a William Blake poem), an informative and powerful new book, the first to identify and profile ll known minority Medal of Honor recipients.
“That conversation led me to do my own informal research,” said Johnson, a U.S. Army veteran. “What I found got me to thinking that there should be a single resource where information about all persons of color, and other minorities, who received the Medal of Honor could be found.”
The research contained in Johnson’s book reveals that 88 African Americans, 22 Native Americans, 32 Asian Americans, 40 Hispanic/ Latino-Americans, 18 American Jews, and one woman have been awarded the Medal of Honor, our country’s highest award for military valor during the time of war since it was established in 1863 during the American Civil War.
The main body of Johnson’s book, recipient profiles, consists of a photograph, if available; military and biographical data on the recipient; the actual citation, which describes the action for which the Medal of Honor was awarded; and the most poignant and interesting section of the book – an epilogue describing who these recipients were, where they came from, and what became of them.
Most of the early Medal of Honor recipients were former slaves or immigrants. Most came from humble backgrounds and entered the military to seek better economic opportunities. Johnson said some recipients were outright rascals and scoundrels while in the military, who later redeemed themselves by their heroic actions.
“A significant number did not have happy endings,” Johnson recalled. “Some died alone and in poverty. Some were murdered and others were lost to history and little or no information about their lives could be found.”
Johnson calls the book a “must-read” for all, especially for youths of color, so they may know the contributions and sacrifices members of their community made in defense of our country.
Every Night and Every Morn can only be purchased directly from Johnson’s Tristan Press Web site at www.tristanpress.com. Schedule of lectures and book signings: Oct. 25 WSSU, Diggs Gallery, 6 p.m.- 8 p.m.; Oct. 27-28 Ft. Benning, GA: Book Signing, Main PX, from 11 a.m.- 6 p.m.; and, Nov.3-4 Ft. Bragg, NC, Main PX, from 11 a.m.- 6 p.m.