World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He enlisted in the Army at Colchester, Connecticut and by February 17, 1944 was serving as a private first class in Company G, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. Actions that supported the award of the Medal of Honor: Private First Class Johnston observed, Near Padiglione, Italy, the approximately 80 German troops, which he fired upon and causing at 25 casualties with withdrawal of the remainder. While subject to mortar, artillery and sniper fire, he manned his machine gun without relief for an entire day. Two Germans surrounded his position becoming so near that his machine gun was ineffective. He then killed one with his pistol, and with a rifle taken from another soldier, killed the second. When the rifleman that was protecting Johnston’s position was killed by sniper, he immediately moved the body and relocated the machine gun in that spot in order to obtain a better field of fire. He volunteered to cover the platoon's withdrawal and was the last man to leave that night. He maintained an all-night vigil, the next day causing seven German casualties. On next afternoon the organization on the left flank was forced to withdraw and he again covered the movement. He was seriously wounded over the heart, and a passing soldier saw him trying to crawl up the embankment. Though reported killed, PFC Johnston was seen returning to the American lines the next day, painfully working his way from his overrun position through enemy lines. He gave valuable information of new enemy dispositions. Johnston left the Army while still a private first class.
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He enlisted in the Army at Colchester, Connecticut and by February 17, 1944 was serving as a private first class in Company G, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. Actions that supported the award of the Medal of Honor: Private First Class Johnston observed, Near Padiglione, Italy, the approximately 80 German troops, which he fired upon and causing at 25 casualties with withdrawal of the remainder. While subject to mortar, artillery and sniper fire, he manned his machine gun without relief for an entire day. Two Germans surrounded his position becoming so near that his machine gun was ineffective. He then killed one with his pistol, and with a rifle taken from another soldier, killed the second. When the rifleman that was protecting Johnston’s position was killed by sniper, he immediately moved the body and relocated the machine gun in that spot in order to obtain a better field of fire. He volunteered to cover the platoon's withdrawal and was the last man to leave that night. He maintained an all-night vigil, the next day causing seven German casualties. On next afternoon the organization on the left flank was forced to withdraw and he again covered the movement. He was seriously wounded over the heart, and a passing soldier saw him trying to crawl up the embankment. Though reported killed, PFC Johnston was seen returning to the American lines the next day, painfully working his way from his overrun position through enemy lines. He gave valuable information of new enemy dispositions. Johnston left the Army while still a private first class.
Bio by: Linda Davis
Inscription
MEDAL OF HONOR
PFC
US ARMY
WORLD WAR II
PURPLE HEART
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Johnston memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
