Needham Roberts
Encyclopedia
Needham Roberts was an American
soldier in the Harlem Hellfighters and recipient of the Purple Heart
and the Croix de Guerre
.
fought off a 24-man German patrol, though both were severely wounded. Both were awarded the Croix de Guerre
for their actions, as well as a posthumous Purple Heart
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soldier in the Harlem Hellfighters and recipient of the Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
and the Croix de Guerre
Croix de guerre
The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
.
World War I
While on guard duty on May 14, 1918, Roberts and Sgt. Henry JohnsonHenry Lincoln Johnson
Henry Lincoln Johnson was an African-American soldier, and recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart, and the French Croix de Guerre.-Biography:...
fought off a 24-man German patrol, though both were severely wounded. Both were awarded the Croix de Guerre
Croix de guerre
The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
for their actions, as well as a posthumous Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
.