Edwin I. Johnson
Sergeant, U.S. Army
32243125
Company D
83rd Chemical Battalion
Entered the Service from: New Jersey
Died: January 26, 1944
Buried at: Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington VA
Awards: Legion of Merit, Purple Heart
Sergeant Edwin I. Johnson
Introduction
Sergeant Edwin I. Johnson was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Christian I. and Charlotte Johnson of 231 Brooks Avenue, Magnolia NJ. His father was a machinist at the New York Shipbuilding Corporation shipyard in Camden NJ, and Edwin Johnson had also been employed there, as an apprentice electrician. He had graduated from Haddon Heights High School in 1935.
After being inducted into the United States Army on February 27, 1942, Edwin Johnson was assigned to the 83rd Chemical Battalion, at Fort Stewart GA, with several other men from Camden County NJ. He also received training at Camp Gordon GA and the Edgewood Arsenal in Maryland, headquarters of the US Army Chemical Corps. After going overseas in April of 1943, he participated in the invasion of Sicily and the landings at Salerno, Italy.
On January 26, 1944, Edwin Johnson was one of several hundred American troops aboard the LST-644, approaching Anzio during the amphibious invasion then taking place. The LST-644 struck a mine, and was sunk, taking several hundred American soldiers and British sailors to their deaths. Sergeant Johnson was able to escape the sinking ship, but was mortally wounded, and died as a result of his injuries. He was 26 years old when he met his end.
Sergeant Edwin Johnson was returned to the United States after the war ended, and he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in the spring of 1949.
American Legion Edwin I. Johnson Post 370 on North Warwick Road, Magnolia NJ, is named in his honor.
Funeral Set Friday For Sgt. Johnson
Camden Courier-Post —
Services for Sgt. Edwin I. Johnson, of 321 Brooks avenue, Magnolia, will be held Friday at 2 p.m. in Arlington National cemetery, Va.
Sergeant Johnson lost his life at sea near Anzio, Italy, Jan. 26, 1944, at the age of 26. He took part in the invasion of Sicily and Salerno. He was among the first Americans to land in Salerno, and served with Co. D, 83d Chemical Battalion, attached to the Rangers.
He was awarded posthumously the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services.
Sergeant Johnson lived in Magnolia 22 years before entering the army in 1942. He graduated from Haddon Heights High school in 1935.
Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Christian Johnson, of the Magnolia address.