James E. Johnson
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Sergeant James Edmund Johnson (January 1, 1926 – December 2, 1950) was a posthumous recipient of the United States' highest decoration — the Medal of Honor — for his heroic lone fight on December 2, 1950, to cover the withdrawal of his platoon during the bitter Chosin Reservoir campaign in Korea. When last seen by his comrades Johnson was wounded, but still engaging the enemy in close grenade and hand-to-hand combat. The enemy were wearing the uniforms of friendly troops at the time. He was listed as missing in action until December 2, 1953, when his status was officially changed to killed in action.
James Edmund Johnson | |
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Born | (1926-01-01)January 1, 1926 Pocatello, Idaho |
Died | December 2, 1950(1950-12-02) (aged 24) Chosin Reservoir, Korea |
Place of burial | Remains not recovered; memorial headstone in Arlington National Cemetery |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/ | United States Marine Corps |
Years of service | 1943–1946, 1948–1950 |
Rank | Sergeant |
Unit | Company J, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Awards |
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Sergeant Johnson, a veteran of the Peleliu and Okinawa campaigns in World War II, was the seventh Marine awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Korea.
Although Johnson was serving with a provisional company of the 7th Marines when he earned the Medal of Honor, his regular outfit was the 11th Marines, the same regiment his father had served in during World War I.