Oscar G. Johnson

He held the exposed flank alone

Oscar Godfrey Johnson Jr. was born at Foster City, Michigan, on 25 March 1921. He entered the United States Army in October 1942 and served with Company B, 363rd Infantry Regiment, 91st Infantry Division, during the Italian campaign.

On 16 September 1944, near Scarperia, his company was trying to break the German Gothic Line. Ordered to establish a post on its exposed left flank, Johnson led seven men to a position about fifty yards away. Repeated counterattacks killed or wounded the rest of the squad.

He gathered weapons and ammunition from the casualties and continued the defence alone. During the night he repelled close attacks with grenades and rifle fire, remaining awake to prevent infiltration. On the following day twenty-five Germans surrendered to him. When two reinforcements were caught in a barrage, he went to their aid, supported a medical orderly and helped arrange their evacuation.

Johnson remained at the post until his company was relieved. His defence helped prevent the enemy turning the flank despite repeated attacks. He became a sergeant, and General Mark Clark presented his Medal of Honor at Gorizia on 25 June 1945.

After the war he returned to Michigan and continued to serve his community. By 1958 he was serving as a mechanic with the Michigan National Guard headquarters detachment. He attained chief warrant officer rank. He died at Kingsford, Michigan, on 13 May 1998 and was buried in DeWitt Cemetery. The veterans' medical centre at Iron Mountain was named in his honour, connecting his wartime service with care for later generations of veterans.