Veteran in crisis? Dial 988 then press 1 · Text 838255 Next observance: Navy Birthday · October 13
Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Sergeant · U.S. Army

Harold Irving Johnston

Sergeant Harold Irving Johnston, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on November 9, 1918 near Pouilly, France during World War I.

World War I November 9, 1918

Sergeant Harold Irving Johnston, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on November 9, 1918 near Pouilly, France during World War I. At the time he was serving with Company A, 356th Infantry, 89th Division. Johnston was 26 years old.

2 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on February 9, 1919. Chaumont, France - presented by General John J. Pershing.

Johnston was born on March 9, 1892 in Kendall, Hamilton County, Kansas. His Medal of Honor is credited to Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Johnston died on August 28, 1949 in Denver, Colorado, at the age of 57. He is buried at Fairmount Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.

Johnston is one of 132 Medal of Honor recipients from World War I and one of 210 credited to Illinois.

Official Medal of Honor citation

When information was desired as to the enemy's position on the opposite side of the Meuse River, Sgt. Johnston, with another soldier, volunteered without hesitation and swam the river to reconnoiter the exact location of the enemy. He succeeded in reaching the opposite bank, despite the evident determination of the enemy to prevent a crossing. Having obtained his information, he again entered the water for his return. This was accomplished after a severe struggle which so exhausted him that he had to be assisted from the water, after which he rendered his report of the exploit.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: World War I.

Places

  • Born: Kansas — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Illinois →

Timeline

  1. March 9, 1892
    Born in Kendall, Hamilton County, Kansas
  2. November 9, 1918
    Act of valor — near Pouilly, France
    Age 26. Company A, 356th Infantry, 89th Division
  3. February 9, 1919
    Medal of Honor presented
    Chaumont, France - presented by General John J. Pershing
  4. August 28, 1949
    Died in Denver, Colorado
    Age 57.
  5. Resting place
    Fairmount Cemetery
    Denver, Colorado

Biography

Harold Irving Johnston (March 9, 1892 – August 28, 1949) was a soldier in the United States Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during World War I.

From the Wikipedia article “Harold I. Johnston”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Videos

Videos load from Vimeo only after you press play.

Also honored for actions on November 9, 1918

David B. Barkeley Private · Army World War I · 1918 ✦ Ludovicus M.m van Iersel Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918

Same unit

MC Marcellus Holmes Chiles Captain · Army World War I · 1918 ✦

More World War I recipients from Illinois

TP Thomas A. Pope Corporal · Army World War I · 1918 BL Berger Holton Loman Private · Army World War I · 1918 RH Ralyn M. Hill Corporal · Army World War I · 1918 Sydney G. Gumpertz First Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918 Johannes Seigfried Anderson First Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918 Michael B. Ellis Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.