Cpl. Donald L. Johnson, son of Gunnard N. & Ethel M.(Kerrison) Johnson, died in combat during the Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, Pacific Theater campaign on Feb. 24, 1945.
He was born June 8, 1924 in Rockford, IL, graduated from East High School in June 1942. He is survived by Marine brother, Keith, and four other brothers; Bob, Dave, Ray & Darwin and three sisters, Jean, Joan & Beverly.
He was one of nearly 200 Marines that left Rockford in one contingent on Nov 5, 1942 for the San Diego Marine Corps Base. After basic training, he chose to volunteer for paratroop school at Camp Gillesppie, CA, receiving his wings March 1943. He left immediately for overseas duty with the First Marine Division. He took part in three major battles: Vella LaVella, Choiseul and Bougainville in the Soloman Islands where he received the Purple Heart for wounds received Nov 29, 1943.
He returned to the States in Feb 1944 after being wounded in the knee and stricken with Malaria Fever. On a 30 day leave in Rockford he was hospitalized at Camp Grant Military Hospital for a recurring attack of malaria. Then, stationed at Camp Pendelton, CA, he was married to Cynthia Hagaman on June 21, 1944 at Anaheim, CA, prior to his shipping to Hawaii, Hawaiian Islands where the Fifth Marine Division was formed and trained preceding the invasion of Iwo Jima.
He was awarded two Purple Hearts, one posthumously. His remains were returned for burial in Scandinavian Cemetery, Rockford on Jan. 13, 1949
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Marine Cpl. Donald Johnson
Killed Feb. 24, 1945, in Iwo Jima
He had served in several campaigns and received the purple heart for wounds received on Nov. 29, 1943. He had been offered another decoration, the silver star, for rescuing a buddy of his while under heavy fire but refused it saying, "Anybody would have done it if he had seen his own buddy fall." That is young America at its best, and what a challenge it holds for all of us. His scholarship was high and he would have had the chance in normal times to have realized his ambition. He didn't take part in many school activities here at East because his duties on the farm at home came first.
*Above is the eulogy written by Principal Harry Muth of East High School, Rockford, IL
He was born June 8, 1924 in Rockford, IL, graduated from East High School in June 1942. He is survived by Marine brother, Keith, and four other brothers; Bob, Dave, Ray & Darwin and three sisters, Jean, Joan & Beverly.
He was one of nearly 200 Marines that left Rockford in one contingent on Nov 5, 1942 for the San Diego Marine Corps Base. After basic training, he chose to volunteer for paratroop school at Camp Gillesppie, CA, receiving his wings March 1943. He left immediately for overseas duty with the First Marine Division. He took part in three major battles: Vella LaVella, Choiseul and Bougainville in the Soloman Islands where he received the Purple Heart for wounds received Nov 29, 1943.
He returned to the States in Feb 1944 after being wounded in the knee and stricken with Malaria Fever. On a 30 day leave in Rockford he was hospitalized at Camp Grant Military Hospital for a recurring attack of malaria. Then, stationed at Camp Pendelton, CA, he was married to Cynthia Hagaman on June 21, 1944 at Anaheim, CA, prior to his shipping to Hawaii, Hawaiian Islands where the Fifth Marine Division was formed and trained preceding the invasion of Iwo Jima.
He was awarded two Purple Hearts, one posthumously. His remains were returned for burial in Scandinavian Cemetery, Rockford on Jan. 13, 1949
========================================================================
Marine Cpl. Donald Johnson
Killed Feb. 24, 1945, in Iwo Jima
He had served in several campaigns and received the purple heart for wounds received on Nov. 29, 1943. He had been offered another decoration, the silver star, for rescuing a buddy of his while under heavy fire but refused it saying, "Anybody would have done it if he had seen his own buddy fall." That is young America at its best, and what a challenge it holds for all of us. His scholarship was high and he would have had the chance in normal times to have realized his ambition. He didn't take part in many school activities here at East because his duties on the farm at home came first.
*Above is the eulogy written by Principal Harry Muth of East High School, Rockford, IL
Cpl. Donald L. Johnson, son of Gunnard N. & Ethel M.(Kerrison) Johnson, died in combat during the Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, Pacific Theater campaign on Feb. 24, 1945.
He was born June 8, 1924 in Rockford, IL, graduated from East High School in June 1942. He is survived by Marine brother, Keith, and four other brothers; Bob, Dave, Ray & Darwin and three sisters, Jean, Joan & Beverly.
He was one of nearly 200 Marines that left Rockford in one contingent on Nov 5, 1942 for the San Diego Marine Corps Base. After basic training, he chose to volunteer for paratroop school at Camp Gillesppie, CA, receiving his wings March 1943. He left immediately for overseas duty with the First Marine Division. He took part in three major battles: Vella LaVella, Choiseul and Bougainville in the Soloman Islands where he received the Purple Heart for wounds received Nov 29, 1943.
He returned to the States in Feb 1944 after being wounded in the knee and stricken with Malaria Fever. On a 30 day leave in Rockford he was hospitalized at Camp Grant Military Hospital for a recurring attack of malaria. Then, stationed at Camp Pendelton, CA, he was married to Cynthia Hagaman on June 21, 1944 at Anaheim, CA, prior to his shipping to Hawaii, Hawaiian Islands where the Fifth Marine Division was formed and trained preceding the invasion of Iwo Jima.
He was awarded two Purple Hearts, one posthumously. His remains were returned for burial in Scandinavian Cemetery, Rockford on Jan. 13, 1949
========================================================================
Marine Cpl. Donald Johnson
Killed Feb. 24, 1945, in Iwo Jima
He had served in several campaigns and received the purple heart for wounds received on Nov. 29, 1943. He had been offered another decoration, the silver star, for rescuing a buddy of his while under heavy fire but refused it saying, "Anybody would have done it if he had seen his own buddy fall." That is young America at its best, and what a challenge it holds for all of us. His scholarship was high and he would have had the chance in normal times to have realized his ambition. He didn't take part in many school activities here at East because his duties on the farm at home came first.
*Above is the eulogy written by Principal Harry Muth of East High School, Rockford, IL
He was born June 8, 1924 in Rockford, IL, graduated from East High School in June 1942. He is survived by Marine brother, Keith, and four other brothers; Bob, Dave, Ray & Darwin and three sisters, Jean, Joan & Beverly.
He was one of nearly 200 Marines that left Rockford in one contingent on Nov 5, 1942 for the San Diego Marine Corps Base. After basic training, he chose to volunteer for paratroop school at Camp Gillesppie, CA, receiving his wings March 1943. He left immediately for overseas duty with the First Marine Division. He took part in three major battles: Vella LaVella, Choiseul and Bougainville in the Soloman Islands where he received the Purple Heart for wounds received Nov 29, 1943.
He returned to the States in Feb 1944 after being wounded in the knee and stricken with Malaria Fever. On a 30 day leave in Rockford he was hospitalized at Camp Grant Military Hospital for a recurring attack of malaria. Then, stationed at Camp Pendelton, CA, he was married to Cynthia Hagaman on June 21, 1944 at Anaheim, CA, prior to his shipping to Hawaii, Hawaiian Islands where the Fifth Marine Division was formed and trained preceding the invasion of Iwo Jima.
He was awarded two Purple Hearts, one posthumously. His remains were returned for burial in Scandinavian Cemetery, Rockford on Jan. 13, 1949
========================================================================
Marine Cpl. Donald Johnson
Killed Feb. 24, 1945, in Iwo Jima
He had served in several campaigns and received the purple heart for wounds received on Nov. 29, 1943. He had been offered another decoration, the silver star, for rescuing a buddy of his while under heavy fire but refused it saying, "Anybody would have done it if he had seen his own buddy fall." That is young America at its best, and what a challenge it holds for all of us. His scholarship was high and he would have had the chance in normal times to have realized his ambition. He didn't take part in many school activities here at East because his duties on the farm at home came first.
*Above is the eulogy written by Principal Harry Muth of East High School, Rockford, IL
Inscription
ILLINOIS
CPL 26 MARINES 5 MARINE DIV
WORLD WAR II
