Louisiana’s Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk on Tuesday officially became Fort Johnson in a big tip of the hat to New York National Guard Sgt. William Henry Johnson, a Black soldier from Albany who became a World War I hero.

Originally named after Leonidas Polk, a Confederate general from New Orleans who was killed in the Civil War, the Army installation that's home to the Joint Readiness Training Center and the 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 10th Mountain Division now bears of Johnson, a one-time teenage driver, soda mixer and a red cap porter at Albany’s Union Station who conquered racial discrimination, and the Germans in France.

“Johnson is such an inspiring story,” said Aaron Noble, senior historian for political and military history at the New York State Museum.

Johnson enlisted in the New York National Guard’s segregated 15th New York (Colored) Infantry Regiment on June 5, 1917, just two months after the U.S. entered World War I. The 15th New York was renamed the 369th Infantry Regiment and eventually became known as "the Harlem Hellfighters."

Army units were segregated during World War I.

In May 1918, the 15th Infantry was assigned to the French 16th Infantry Division and issued French helmets, rifles and equipment, though they continued wearing American uniforms. On the night of May 15, 1918, Johnson, while on sentry duty, heroicly fought off a German raiding party, while saving fellow Soldier Needham Roberts from being captured.

“Johnson continues to fight, firing his rifle until he runs out of ammunition, turning his rifle and using it as a club until it breaks, and then, finally, pulling his last line of defense, a combat knife,” Noble said.

It’s a story people in the Capital Region are likely familiar with.

Johnson was awarded the French Croix de Guerre, the first American recognized by the French military.

He suffered 21 wounds in the battle, and was not able to resume work when he returned to the states. He was not fully recognized by his own country for his courage due to discrimination.

Johnson was outspoken about the treatment of Black soldiers upon his return to the U.S., where discrimination was staunch.

“He begins advocating for benefits for the returning soldiers. He testifies before the state Legislature,” Noble explained. "To see him, even belatedly, getting the recognition he deserves is very inspiring.”

Johnson contracted tuberculosis and died in 1929. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

He posthumously received the Purple Heart in 1996, the Distinguished Service Cross in 2002 and after a long campaign spearheaded by Senator Chuck Schumer, the Medal of Honor in 2015.

There were no descendants alive left to accept the medal.

"It took years of research from impassioned advocates and local historians, and, of course my staff, to allow Sgt. Johnson to receive our nation’s highest military award in the Medal of Honor," Sen. Schumer said in a statement Tuesday morning. "When the Naming Commission was established to look at renaming those bases previously named for Confederate soldiers, I knew right away that Henry Johnson was the perfect candidate for this honor. Now this culmination of work has paid off in a profound way and I am thrilled that we officially have Fort Johnson standing proud to inspire generations to come.”