Essay Example on Heroic WWI Soldiers Recognized: Pvt. Johnson & Sgt. Shemin

Introduction

Sergeant Shemin and Henry Johnson existed during the First World War. They significantly contributed to the success of the battle. The soldiers displayed their patriotism and commitment in fights for the common good of the State. But, it was until 2015 when President Barack Obama honored their efforts through Medal of Honor award. The paper focuses on circumstances the two heroes underwent and the process of attainment of their medals.

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Pvt. Henry Johnson

Johnson depicted the characteristics of a real soldier when he was fighting for Harlem. At the time, many black Americans worked in a battalion of labor compared to combat units. Despite the shortcoming, Harlem left the American a legacy. A group of German raided the camp in France, where they fought against them. With a knife as the only weapon, he solely drove the enemy hence preventing the detention of the helpless fellow soldier (Shear). By involving on one to one confrontations, the black hero highly risked his life. He also never backed down even after wounded on several occasions. For a long time, the army denied him the right to recognition, arguing that the heroism act portrayed was upon the French land, which awarded him valor but not the American one.

In the reign, the army avoided the mix up of white and black people in the world war because of the racial discrimination vice. The repercussion of war cripples him that contributed to his premature death. The Americans cannot transform what occurred to heroes such as Johnson, who missed celebration because the nation's judgment depending on the skin color caring less about their traits. However, the State was correct the mistake. President Obama awarded on behalf of Johnson a medal of honor to the National Guard of New York.

Sgt. William Shemin

Another medal of honor was awarded to Sergeant William Shemin. He showed courage and selflessness in the battlefields that left one with little hope of survival. Whatever how things seemed to be, he never had second thoughts of rescuing the fellow wounded soldiers. He ran amid machine gun to save the lives of injured comrades. The soldier repeated the act several without minding about his life. Later in life, he enrolled for a degree program at the University of Syracuse and engaged in the landscape business. Unlike Johnson, he married and had three children.

Additionally, he assumed power after the disintegration of platoon's leader due to increased casualties in the battle. The whole process left him with a bullet in the head which penetrated the helmet and deposited at the left ear. He was also hit by the bomb. Despite the act of braveness by the soldier, it took long for the reward of a medal of honor. The medal stood at 45th position. The award of the medal occurred at the urge of organizations that Jewish in nature. His background of Jewishness affected the process of honor despite efforts from Schumer to convince the council that took a long time. Nevertheless, the colleague working with him unveiled the description that overcame the bureaucratic regime.

Conclusion

In summary, Johnson and Shemin were great soldiers of their time. Discrimination affected both heroes and remained unrecognized for an extended period. Their significant contribution towards the nation spearheaded Schumer's research team to ensure the rewards of their effort. Since both soldiers are no more, the president honors their families as well as their institutions that enabled them to render their services to the State.

Work Cited

Shear, Michael D. "Two World War I soldiers posthumously receive medal of honor." The New York Times, the New York Times, 2 June 2015,

www.nytimes.com/2015/06/03/us/two-world-war-i-soldiers-to-posthumously-receive-medal-of-honor.html. Accessed 16 May 2020.