World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. Born in Caney Creek, Louisiana, he served in the United States Army during World War II as a Sergeant in Company K, 126th Infantry, 32nd Infantry Division. On December 15, 1944 near Limon, Leyte, Philippine Islands Sergeant Johnson as squad leader was sent to patrol a ridge held by a well-entrenched Japanese force. Seeing an enemy machinegun, which covered the approaches to several other enemy positions, he chose three other men, armed them with hand grenades, and led them to a point near the objective. The men had knocked out the gun and begun an assault when hostile troops on the flank hurled several grenades. As he started for cover, Sgt. Johnson saw two unexploded grenades that had fallen near he and his men. He deliberately threw himself on the grenades and received their full charge in his body. Fatally wounded by the blast, he died soon afterward. Sgt. Leroy Johnson received his Medal of Honor posthumously and it was accredited to the state of Louisiana. In 1947 the New Orleans Army Air Base was renamed Camp Leroy Johnson in his honor.
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. Born in Caney Creek, Louisiana, he served in the United States Army during World War II as a Sergeant in Company K, 126th Infantry, 32nd Infantry Division. On December 15, 1944 near Limon, Leyte, Philippine Islands Sergeant Johnson as squad leader was sent to patrol a ridge held by a well-entrenched Japanese force. Seeing an enemy machinegun, which covered the approaches to several other enemy positions, he chose three other men, armed them with hand grenades, and led them to a point near the objective. The men had knocked out the gun and begun an assault when hostile troops on the flank hurled several grenades. As he started for cover, Sgt. Johnson saw two unexploded grenades that had fallen near he and his men. He deliberately threw himself on the grenades and received their full charge in his body. Fatally wounded by the blast, he died soon afterward. Sgt. Leroy Johnson received his Medal of Honor posthumously and it was accredited to the state of Louisiana. In 1947 the New Orleans Army Air Base was renamed Camp Leroy Johnson in his honor.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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