Private John Johnson was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on December 13, 1862 in Fredericksburg, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company D, 2d Wisconsin Infantry. Johnson was 20 years old.
17 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on August 28, 1893, 30 years after the action.
Johnson was born on March 25, 1842 in Toten Christiana (now Olso), Norway — one of 22 recipients born in Norway. His Medal of Honor is credited to Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin. Johnson died on April 3, 1907 in Washington, District of Columbia, at the age of 65. He is buried at Rock Creek Cemetery in Washington, District of Columbia.
Johnson is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 50 credited to Wisconsin.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Conspicuous gallantry in battle in which he was severely wounded. While serving as cannoneer he manned the positions of fallen gunners.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and injuries
What the citation records about his wounds:
Conspicuous gallantry in battle in which he was severely wounded.
- Age at death: 65
- Resting place: Rock Creek Cemetery
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: American Civil War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Wisconsin →
Timeline
- March 25, 1842Born in Toten Christiana (now Olso), Norway
- December 13, 1862Act of valor — Fredericksburg, VirginiaAge 20. Company D, 2d Wisconsin Infantry
- August 28, 1893Medal of Honor presented
- April 3, 1907Died in Washington, District of ColumbiaAge 65.
- Resting placeRock Creek CemeteryWashington, District of Columbia
Biography
John Johnson (March 25, 1842 – April 3, 1907) served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Antietam and the Battle of Fredericksburg. Johnson was born on March 25, 1842, in Norway. His official residence was listed as Janesville, Wisconsin. Johnson was a member of the 2nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment, part of the Iron Brigade. He earned his medal of honor for valor displayed at the Battle of Antietam and the Battle of Fredericksburg. During the Battle of Fredericksburg, while loading a cannon, Confederate artillery fire severed his right arm.
From the Wikipedia article “John Johnson (Medal of Honor, 1842)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
