Harvey Johnson Edit Profile

Background

Johnson was born in the Bivalve section of Commercial Township, New Jersey.

Career

He joined the Army from East Weymouth, Massachusetts in April 1943, and by June 3, 1944 was serving as a private in the 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. When his unit was ambushed on that day, near Valmontone, Italy, he deliberately drew the hostile German fire onto himself so that his comrades could escape. He succeeded in destroying a German machine gun position before he was killed.

Johnson, aged 23 at his death, was buried in Union Cemetery, Scituate, Massachusetts.

Then, despite 20mm. machineguns, machine pistol, and rifle fire directed at him, Advancing to within 5 yards of a machinegun, emptying his weapon, A burst of machinegun fire tore into These acts on the part of The United States Army ship USAT Private Elden H. Johnson which operated in the Pacific Ocean at the end of World World War II was named in his honor. In 1949 the former German "Panzerkaserne" at Fuerth/Germany was renamed to From the 1970s was home of the 16th Engineer Battalion which supported two brigades of the 1st Armored Division and one brigade of the 2nd AD. lieutenant also contained warehouses and other facilities for various supply elements from William O. Darby Barracks.

Achievements

Foreign these actions, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor a year later, on May 16, 1945. Private Johnson"s official reads:.

View map

Born

February 13, 1921

Bivalve
Died

June 3, 1944 (aged 23)

Valmontone, Province of Rome, Italy
Nationality
United States

Awards

Medal of Honor Medal of Honor

Medal of Honor citation Private Johnson's official Medal of Honor citation reads: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Pvt. Johnson elected to sacrifice his life in order that his comrades might extricate themselves from an ambush. Braving the massed fire of about 60 riflemen, 3 machineguns, and 3 tanks from positions only 25 yards distant, he stood erect and signaled his patrol leader to withdraw. The whole area was brightly illuminated by enemy flares. Then, despite 20mm. machineguns, machine pistol, and rifle fire directed at him, Pvt. Johnson advanced beyond the enemy in a slow deliberate walk. Firing his automatic rifle from the hip, he succeeded in distracting the enemy and enabled his 12 comrades to escape. Advancing to within 5 yards of a machinegun, emptying his weapon, Pvt. Johnson killed its crew. Standing in full view of the enemy he reloaded and turned on the riflemen to the left, firing directly into their positions. He either killed or wounded 4 of them. A burst of machinegun fire tore into Pvt. Johnson and he dropped to his knees. Fighting to the very last, he steadied himself on his knees and sent a final burst of fire crashing into another German. With that he slumped forward dead. Pvt. Johnson had willingly given his life in order that his comrades might live. These acts on the part of Pvt. Johnson were an inspiration to the entire command and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the armed forces.

Medal of Honor citation Private Johnson's official Medal of Honor citation reads: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Pvt. Johnson elected to sacrifice his life in order that his comrades might extricate themselves from an ambush. Braving the massed fire of about 60 riflemen, 3 machineguns, and 3 tanks from positions only 25 yards distant, he stood erect and signaled his patrol leader to withdraw. The whole area was brightly illuminated by enemy flares. Then, despite 20mm. machineguns, machine pistol, and rifle fire directed at him, Pvt. Johnson advanced beyond the enemy in a slow deliberate walk. Firing his automatic rifle from the hip, he succeeded in distracting the enemy and enabled his 12 comrades to escape. Advancing to within 5 yards of a machinegun, emptying his weapon, Pvt. Johnson killed its crew. Standing in full view of the enemy he reloaded and turned on the riflemen to the left, firing directly into their positions. He either killed or wounded 4 of them. A burst of machinegun fire tore into Pvt. Johnson and he dropped to his knees. Fighting to the very last, he steadied himself on his knees and sent a final burst of fire crashing into another German. With that he slumped forward dead. Pvt. Johnson had willingly given his life in order that his comrades might live. These acts on the part of Pvt. Johnson were an inspiration to the entire command and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the armed forces.

Main Photo

School period

College/University

Career

Achievements

Membership

Awards

Other Photos

Connections

Connections

Harvey Johnson Edit Profile

Background

Career

Achievements

Born

Died

Nationality

Awards

Medal of Honor Medal of Honor