An American hero of the Korean War
PFC US Army, Korea
Silver Star, Purple Heart, Ex-POW
Wayne Archer "Johnnie" Johnson
L Company, 21st Infantry Regiment,
24th Infantry Division, U. S. Army
"Johnnie" captured on July 11, 1950. Johnson became part of the Tiger Survivors group and was held for nearly 38 months by the North Koreans and then by the Chinese Army. He was from Lima, Ohio.
Johnson started keeping a record of the men so that the families back home would know what happened to their loved ones. The fact that he could have been punished or even shot for keeping such a list did not stop him.
Along the way, buddies would tell him about someone dying and
others would stand guard while Johnson recorded the deaths.
When Johnson was released in August 1953, he told the authorities on the ship about his list and the debriefing officer noted it in his file. But, nothing was done about it until 1994 when Johnson announced to several of his buddies that he still had the list.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Johnnie Johnson List
In October 1950, a North Korean Army major referred to as "The Tiger" took command of more than 700 American servicemen who had been captured and interned as POWs. In August 1953, following the signing of the armistice, only 262 of these men returned alive. One of the survivors, Army Private First Class Wayne A. "Johnnie" Johnson, risked his life during his imprisonment by secretly recording the names of 496 fellow prisoners who had died during their captivity.
The Department of Defense debriefed all returning American POWs concerning their knowledge of those who did not return from the Communist prison system. Private Johnson's painstakingly written record was a major contribution to this effort and helped to determine or confirm the fate of many POWs.
In 1995 a DPMO analyst learned about Johnson's Tiger Survivors List while attending a Korean War Ex-POW reunion in Sacramento, California. DPMO analysts then located intelligence archives which contained Johnson's original debriefing report as well as other POW reports corroborating his information. Among these records a debriefer's handwritten memorandum recommending that Private Johnson be recognized for his bravery. This information was forwarded to the Department of the Army, and in 1996, Private Johnson was awarded the Silver Star, the nation's third highest military combat decoration for valor.
A document examiner was able to recover almost all the names from Private Johnson's original wartime list. Some entries, however, could not be saved. Thus, there are fewer than 496 names on the typed listing, which is available on the Johnnie Johnson List
http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/korea/johnnie_johnson_list/
7 Dec 2012
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Wayne A. "Johnnie" Johnson of San Marcos, TX, passed away on Wednesday, June 1, 2011, at the age of 79. He was born on December 16, 1931, in Lima, OH, to Archer L. and Elizabeth T. (Kares) Johnson.
From July, 1950 to August, 1953 while being held a P.O.W. in Korea, at a great risk to his life, Johnnie compiled a list of over 500 P.O.W.'s. While most died in prison camps, there was also the 'Tiger Death March' where they killed a man a mile for almost 100 miles. As a very young man he had the presence of mind to keep a record of the Heroes who died on the Death March and in the P.O.W. camps. When released after the Armistice, he smuggled his list home in a tube of toothpaste. The list of names known as "The Johnson List" can be seen on the internet. As a result of his actions, numerous families were able to have final closure as to what happened to their loved ones who were listed as MIA's. "May the Lord bless him and may he rest in peace."
He was a member of the VFW, American Legion, Ohio Military Hall of Fame and the Korean P.O.W.'s.
His father, Archer L. Johnson preceded him in death. He is survived by his mother, Elizabeth (Kares) Johnson of Lima, OH; two brothers, Roger Johnson, Sr. and wife, Carol of San Marcos, TX, and Dean Johnson and wife, Debi of Lima, OH; a sister, Karen Thomas of Lima, OH; several aunts; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 9, 2011, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.
Arrangements by Pennington Funeral Home, San Marcos, Texas, 512.353.4311. Obituary and guestbook online at www.penningtonfuneralhome.com
PFC US Army, Korea
Silver Star, Purple Heart, Ex-POW
Wayne Archer "Johnnie" Johnson
L Company, 21st Infantry Regiment,
24th Infantry Division, U. S. Army
"Johnnie" captured on July 11, 1950. Johnson became part of the Tiger Survivors group and was held for nearly 38 months by the North Koreans and then by the Chinese Army. He was from Lima, Ohio.
Johnson started keeping a record of the men so that the families back home would know what happened to their loved ones. The fact that he could have been punished or even shot for keeping such a list did not stop him.
Along the way, buddies would tell him about someone dying and
others would stand guard while Johnson recorded the deaths.
When Johnson was released in August 1953, he told the authorities on the ship about his list and the debriefing officer noted it in his file. But, nothing was done about it until 1994 when Johnson announced to several of his buddies that he still had the list.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Johnnie Johnson List
In October 1950, a North Korean Army major referred to as "The Tiger" took command of more than 700 American servicemen who had been captured and interned as POWs. In August 1953, following the signing of the armistice, only 262 of these men returned alive. One of the survivors, Army Private First Class Wayne A. "Johnnie" Johnson, risked his life during his imprisonment by secretly recording the names of 496 fellow prisoners who had died during their captivity.
The Department of Defense debriefed all returning American POWs concerning their knowledge of those who did not return from the Communist prison system. Private Johnson's painstakingly written record was a major contribution to this effort and helped to determine or confirm the fate of many POWs.
In 1995 a DPMO analyst learned about Johnson's Tiger Survivors List while attending a Korean War Ex-POW reunion in Sacramento, California. DPMO analysts then located intelligence archives which contained Johnson's original debriefing report as well as other POW reports corroborating his information. Among these records a debriefer's handwritten memorandum recommending that Private Johnson be recognized for his bravery. This information was forwarded to the Department of the Army, and in 1996, Private Johnson was awarded the Silver Star, the nation's third highest military combat decoration for valor.
A document examiner was able to recover almost all the names from Private Johnson's original wartime list. Some entries, however, could not be saved. Thus, there are fewer than 496 names on the typed listing, which is available on the Johnnie Johnson List
http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/korea/johnnie_johnson_list/
7 Dec 2012
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Wayne A. "Johnnie" Johnson of San Marcos, TX, passed away on Wednesday, June 1, 2011, at the age of 79. He was born on December 16, 1931, in Lima, OH, to Archer L. and Elizabeth T. (Kares) Johnson.
From July, 1950 to August, 1953 while being held a P.O.W. in Korea, at a great risk to his life, Johnnie compiled a list of over 500 P.O.W.'s. While most died in prison camps, there was also the 'Tiger Death March' where they killed a man a mile for almost 100 miles. As a very young man he had the presence of mind to keep a record of the Heroes who died on the Death March and in the P.O.W. camps. When released after the Armistice, he smuggled his list home in a tube of toothpaste. The list of names known as "The Johnson List" can be seen on the internet. As a result of his actions, numerous families were able to have final closure as to what happened to their loved ones who were listed as MIA's. "May the Lord bless him and may he rest in peace."
He was a member of the VFW, American Legion, Ohio Military Hall of Fame and the Korean P.O.W.'s.
His father, Archer L. Johnson preceded him in death. He is survived by his mother, Elizabeth (Kares) Johnson of Lima, OH; two brothers, Roger Johnson, Sr. and wife, Carol of San Marcos, TX, and Dean Johnson and wife, Debi of Lima, OH; a sister, Karen Thomas of Lima, OH; several aunts; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 9, 2011, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.
Arrangements by Pennington Funeral Home, San Marcos, Texas, 512.353.4311. Obituary and guestbook online at www.penningtonfuneralhome.com
An American hero of the Korean War
PFC US Army, Korea
Silver Star, Purple Heart, Ex-POW
Wayne Archer "Johnnie" Johnson
L Company, 21st Infantry Regiment,
24th Infantry Division, U. S. Army
"Johnnie" captured on July 11, 1950. Johnson became part of the Tiger Survivors group and was held for nearly 38 months by the North Koreans and then by the Chinese Army. He was from Lima, Ohio.
Johnson started keeping a record of the men so that the families back home would know what happened to their loved ones. The fact that he could have been punished or even shot for keeping such a list did not stop him.
Along the way, buddies would tell him about someone dying and
others would stand guard while Johnson recorded the deaths.
When Johnson was released in August 1953, he told the authorities on the ship about his list and the debriefing officer noted it in his file. But, nothing was done about it until 1994 when Johnson announced to several of his buddies that he still had the list.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Johnnie Johnson List
In October 1950, a North Korean Army major referred to as "The Tiger" took command of more than 700 American servicemen who had been captured and interned as POWs. In August 1953, following the signing of the armistice, only 262 of these men returned alive. One of the survivors, Army Private First Class Wayne A. "Johnnie" Johnson, risked his life during his imprisonment by secretly recording the names of 496 fellow prisoners who had died during their captivity.
The Department of Defense debriefed all returning American POWs concerning their knowledge of those who did not return from the Communist prison system. Private Johnson's painstakingly written record was a major contribution to this effort and helped to determine or confirm the fate of many POWs.
In 1995 a DPMO analyst learned about Johnson's Tiger Survivors List while attending a Korean War Ex-POW reunion in Sacramento, California. DPMO analysts then located intelligence archives which contained Johnson's original debriefing report as well as other POW reports corroborating his information. Among these records a debriefer's handwritten memorandum recommending that Private Johnson be recognized for his bravery. This information was forwarded to the Department of the Army, and in 1996, Private Johnson was awarded the Silver Star, the nation's third highest military combat decoration for valor.
A document examiner was able to recover almost all the names from Private Johnson's original wartime list. Some entries, however, could not be saved. Thus, there are fewer than 496 names on the typed listing, which is available on the Johnnie Johnson List
http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/korea/johnnie_johnson_list/
7 Dec 2012
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Wayne A. "Johnnie" Johnson of San Marcos, TX, passed away on Wednesday, June 1, 2011, at the age of 79. He was born on December 16, 1931, in Lima, OH, to Archer L. and Elizabeth T. (Kares) Johnson.
From July, 1950 to August, 1953 while being held a P.O.W. in Korea, at a great risk to his life, Johnnie compiled a list of over 500 P.O.W.'s. While most died in prison camps, there was also the 'Tiger Death March' where they killed a man a mile for almost 100 miles. As a very young man he had the presence of mind to keep a record of the Heroes who died on the Death March and in the P.O.W. camps. When released after the Armistice, he smuggled his list home in a tube of toothpaste. The list of names known as "The Johnson List" can be seen on the internet. As a result of his actions, numerous families were able to have final closure as to what happened to their loved ones who were listed as MIA's. "May the Lord bless him and may he rest in peace."
He was a member of the VFW, American Legion, Ohio Military Hall of Fame and the Korean P.O.W.'s.
His father, Archer L. Johnson preceded him in death. He is survived by his mother, Elizabeth (Kares) Johnson of Lima, OH; two brothers, Roger Johnson, Sr. and wife, Carol of San Marcos, TX, and Dean Johnson and wife, Debi of Lima, OH; a sister, Karen Thomas of Lima, OH; several aunts; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 9, 2011, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.
Arrangements by Pennington Funeral Home, San Marcos, Texas, 512.353.4311. Obituary and guestbook online at www.penningtonfuneralhome.com
PFC US Army, Korea
Silver Star, Purple Heart, Ex-POW
Wayne Archer "Johnnie" Johnson
L Company, 21st Infantry Regiment,
24th Infantry Division, U. S. Army
"Johnnie" captured on July 11, 1950. Johnson became part of the Tiger Survivors group and was held for nearly 38 months by the North Koreans and then by the Chinese Army. He was from Lima, Ohio.
Johnson started keeping a record of the men so that the families back home would know what happened to their loved ones. The fact that he could have been punished or even shot for keeping such a list did not stop him.
Along the way, buddies would tell him about someone dying and
others would stand guard while Johnson recorded the deaths.
When Johnson was released in August 1953, he told the authorities on the ship about his list and the debriefing officer noted it in his file. But, nothing was done about it until 1994 when Johnson announced to several of his buddies that he still had the list.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Johnnie Johnson List
In October 1950, a North Korean Army major referred to as "The Tiger" took command of more than 700 American servicemen who had been captured and interned as POWs. In August 1953, following the signing of the armistice, only 262 of these men returned alive. One of the survivors, Army Private First Class Wayne A. "Johnnie" Johnson, risked his life during his imprisonment by secretly recording the names of 496 fellow prisoners who had died during their captivity.
The Department of Defense debriefed all returning American POWs concerning their knowledge of those who did not return from the Communist prison system. Private Johnson's painstakingly written record was a major contribution to this effort and helped to determine or confirm the fate of many POWs.
In 1995 a DPMO analyst learned about Johnson's Tiger Survivors List while attending a Korean War Ex-POW reunion in Sacramento, California. DPMO analysts then located intelligence archives which contained Johnson's original debriefing report as well as other POW reports corroborating his information. Among these records a debriefer's handwritten memorandum recommending that Private Johnson be recognized for his bravery. This information was forwarded to the Department of the Army, and in 1996, Private Johnson was awarded the Silver Star, the nation's third highest military combat decoration for valor.
A document examiner was able to recover almost all the names from Private Johnson's original wartime list. Some entries, however, could not be saved. Thus, there are fewer than 496 names on the typed listing, which is available on the Johnnie Johnson List
http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/korea/johnnie_johnson_list/
7 Dec 2012
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Wayne A. "Johnnie" Johnson of San Marcos, TX, passed away on Wednesday, June 1, 2011, at the age of 79. He was born on December 16, 1931, in Lima, OH, to Archer L. and Elizabeth T. (Kares) Johnson.
From July, 1950 to August, 1953 while being held a P.O.W. in Korea, at a great risk to his life, Johnnie compiled a list of over 500 P.O.W.'s. While most died in prison camps, there was also the 'Tiger Death March' where they killed a man a mile for almost 100 miles. As a very young man he had the presence of mind to keep a record of the Heroes who died on the Death March and in the P.O.W. camps. When released after the Armistice, he smuggled his list home in a tube of toothpaste. The list of names known as "The Johnson List" can be seen on the internet. As a result of his actions, numerous families were able to have final closure as to what happened to their loved ones who were listed as MIA's. "May the Lord bless him and may he rest in peace."
He was a member of the VFW, American Legion, Ohio Military Hall of Fame and the Korean P.O.W.'s.
His father, Archer L. Johnson preceded him in death. He is survived by his mother, Elizabeth (Kares) Johnson of Lima, OH; two brothers, Roger Johnson, Sr. and wife, Carol of San Marcos, TX, and Dean Johnson and wife, Debi of Lima, OH; a sister, Karen Thomas of Lima, OH; several aunts; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 9, 2011, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.
Arrangements by Pennington Funeral Home, San Marcos, Texas, 512.353.4311. Obituary and guestbook online at www.penningtonfuneralhome.com
Inscription
Silver Star
PH EX-POW
Johnnie
Created The
Johnson List
Gravesite Details
PFC US Army, Korea
