Private Elden Harvey Johnson was a soldier in the U.S. Army who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on June 3, 1944 near Valmontone, Italy during World War II. At the time he was serving with Company H, 15th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division. Johnson was 23 years old.
Johnson was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. The medal was presented on May 30, 1945. Boston Commons, Boston, Massachusetts, presented by Gen. Sherman Miles to his Mother.
Johnson was born on February 13, 1921 in Bivalve, Cumberland County, New Jersey. His Medal of Honor is credited to East Weymouth, Norfolk County, Massachusetts. He is buried at Union Cemetery in Scituate, Massachusetts.
Johnson is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 265 credited to Massachusetts.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the 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, three machine guns, and three 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 20-mm machine-gun, 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 five yards of a machine gun, 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 four of them. A burst of machine-gun fire tore into Pfc. 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.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
What the citation records about his wounds:
He either killed or wounded four of them.
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (June 3, 1944).
- Age at death: 23
- Resting place: Union Cemetery
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War II.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Massachusetts →
Timeline
- February 13, 1921Born in Bivalve, Cumberland County, New Jersey
- June 3, 1944Act of valor — near Valmontone, ItalyAge 23. Company H, 15th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division Killed in action.
- May 30, 1945Medal of Honor presented posthumouslyBoston Commons, Boston, Massachusetts, presented by Gen. Sherman Miles to his Mother
- Resting placeUnion CemeteryScituate, Massachusetts
Biography
Elden Harvey Johnson (February 13, 1921 – June 3, 1944) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II. Johnson was born in the Bivalve section of Commercial Township, New Jersey. 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.
From the Wikipedia article “Elden H. Johnson”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
