Missouri is home to Johnson's son, Herman, who would receive the medal on his father's behalf. That is because our service to this country, regardless of what our station in life is, was probably the most honorable thing we've ever done. Our last thought is the fact that we want the honor that is due us. Henry Johnson was denied that honor. He died and was buried in . . .
Eyes shift inward.
Henry Johnson could have been any one of them. Turned around, then I had to go. That still goes hard with me right today,'' he says. Small wonder, then, that they look at Henry Johnson and see a man whose story differs from theirs only in degree. A soldier who, like them, put everything on the line in defense of his country's freedom to find the country would put nothing on the line in defense of his.