Sgt Leroy Johnson
U.S. Army, 32nd Infantry Division, 126th Infantry Regiment, Company K
Background
Leroy Johnson was born December 6, 1919 as one of nine children to parents Leander Johnson and Izeline Marcantel Johnson in Oakdale, Louisiana. He attended grammar school and worked as a carpenter.
Wartime History
On November 26, 1941 enlisted in the U.S. Army as a private with serial number 34154178. Assigned to 32nd Infantry Division (32nd ID) "Red Arrow Division", 126th Infantry Regiment (126th IR). On April 6, 1943 Sgt. Johnson earned the Silver Star for gallantry in action against entrenched Japanese at Sanananda. By 1944, promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
 On December 15, 1944 at Limon in northern Leyte, he was leading a nine man patrol tasked with reconnoiter a ridge held by the Japanese. Spotting an enemy machine gun, he ordered his men to remain behind while he crawled forward to within 6 yards of the weapon when one of the Japanese spotted him and jumped up to man the gun, but he was able to withdraw and report to his commanding officer. Ordered to destroy the machine gun, he selected three men armed with hand grenades to a position near the gun. While assaulting the position, Japanese appeared at their flank and threw several grenades. As they stared to take cover, Johnson deliberately threw himself on the grenades to protect his men and absorbed both explosions. Fatally wounded, he died shortly afterwards.
Medal of Honor
For his actions on December 15, 1944 Johnson earned the Medal of Honor, posthumously. He also earned the Silver Star and Purple Heart, posthumously. On October 28, 1945 his mother was bestowed with his Medal of Honor by Col. John H. Carruth, C.O. of Camp Clalborne at a special memorial service at the West Baptist Bible Church in Oakdale. The location of his Medal of Honor today is unknown, presumably owned by his family.
Medal of Honor (December 15, 1944, posthumously) General Orders No. 83, October 2, 1945
 Citation: "The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Sergeant Leroy Johnson (ASN: 34154178), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty on 15 December 1944, while serving with Company K, 126th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division, in action at Limon, Leyte, Philippine Islands. Sergeant Johnson was squad leader of a nine-man patrol sent to reconnoiter a ridge held by a well-entrenched enemy force. Seeing an enemy machinegun position, he ordered his men to remain behind while he crawled to within six yards of the gun. One of the enemy crew jumped up and prepared to man the weapon. Quickly withdrawing, Sergeant Johnson rejoined his patrol and reported the situation to his commanding officer. Ordered to destroy the gun, which covered the approaches to several other enemy positions, he chose three other men, armed them with hand grenades, and led them to a point near the objective. After taking partial cover behind a log, the men had knocked out the gun and begun an assault when hostile troops on the flank hurled several grenades. As he started for cover, Sergeant Johnson saw two unexploded grenades which had fallen near his men. Knowing that his comrades would be wounded or killed by the explosion, he deliberately threw himself on the grenades and received their full charge in his body. Fatally wounded by the blast, he died soon afterward. Through his outstanding gallantry in sacrificing his life for his comrades, Sergeant Johnson provided a shining example of the highest traditions of the U.S. Army." |
Memorials
Johnson was officially declared dead December 15, 1944 at age 25. He is buried at Manila American Cemetery at plot C row 10 grave 79.
In December 1947 the Army Air base at New Orleans Port of Embarkation was named Camp Leroy Johnson in his honor.
On June 2, 1948 for Memorial Day, his parents were guest at Camp Leroy Johnson for a special service to honor their son.
A bronze plaque in his honor is located in the Allen Parish courthouse in Oberlin, Louisiana, a few miles south of his hometown of Oakdale.
References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Leroy Johnson
The Oakdale Journal "Congressional Medal of Honor Awarded Sgt Leroy Johnson Posthumously at Oakdale" November 1, 1945 page 1
The Times "Receives Medal of Honor for Son" November 4, 1945 page 13
Weekly Town Talk "Army Air Base Renamed in Honor of Oakdale Soldier by AP November 29, 1947 page 5
The Item of Millburn and Short Hills Archive "The Army Base, New Orleans Port of Embarkation has been renamed Camp Leroy Johnson." December 18, 1947, page 13
Congressional Medal of Honor Society - Leroy Johnson (MOH citation)
Hall of Valor - Leroy Johnson (full MOH citation)
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Leroy Johnson
FindAGrave - SGT Leroy Johnson (photo, grave photo)
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