Medal of Honor: Elden H. Johnson – World War II – June 3, 1944

Name: Elden H. Johnson
Rank: Private
Branch: U.S. Army
War: World War II
Unit: 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division
Date of Action: June 3, 1944
Location: Near Valmontone, Italy

Summary of Action

On 3 June 1944, during the fierce fighting south of Rome, Private Elden H. Johnson displayed extraordinary heroism in one of the most selfless acts of the Italian Campaign.

Johnson was part of a patrol that suddenly found itself trapped in a devastating German ambush near Valmontone. Enemy forces, consisting of approximately sixty riflemen supported by three machine guns and three tanks, opened fire from positions only twenty-five yards away.

The battlefield was illuminated by enemy flares, leaving the American patrol completely exposed.

Recognizing that the patrol would be annihilated unless someone diverted the enemy's attention, Johnson made a conscious decision to sacrifice himself.

Standing upright under a storm of enemy fire, he signaled his patrol leader to withdraw.

Then, with complete disregard for his own survival, he moved directly toward the enemy.

Walking slowly and deliberately through machine-gun, rifle, and machine-pistol fire, Johnson fired his automatic rifle from the hip, drawing the full attention of the German force.

His fearless advance accomplished exactly what he intended.

The enemy concentrated their fire on him, allowing his twelve comrades to break contact and escape the ambush.

Continuing forward alone, Johnson closed to within five yards of one of the enemy machine-gun positions.

At point-blank range, he emptied his weapon into the emplacement, killing the entire crew.

Standing fully exposed, he calmly reloaded his rifle and shifted his fire toward enemy riflemen on his flank.

His accurate fire killed or wounded four additional Germans.

By now nearly every enemy weapon in the area was focused on him.

A burst of machine-gun fire finally struck him, dropping him to his knees.

Even then, Johnson refused to quit.

Using his remaining strength, he steadied himself and fired one final burst into the enemy ranks, killing another German soldier.

Only after that final act did he collapse and die.

His deliberate sacrifice enabled every other member of the patrol to escape.

Private Elden H. Johnson's courage, selflessness, and unwavering devotion to his comrades reflected the highest traditions of the United States Army and remain an enduring example of battlefield heroism.

Medal of Honor Citation

JOHNSON, ELDEN H.

Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, 15th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division.

Place and date: Near Valmontone, Italy, 3 June 1944.

Entered service at: East Weymouth, Mass.

Birth: Bivalue, N.J.

G.O. No.: 38, 16 May 1945.

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Pvt. Johnson elected to sacrifice his life in order that his comrades might extricate themselves from an ambush. Braving the massed fire of about 60 riflemen, 3 machineguns, and 3 tanks from positions only 25 yards distant, he stood erect and signaled his patrol leader to withdraw. The whole area was brightly illuminated by enemy flares. Then, despite 20mm. machineguns, machine pistol, and rifle fire directed at him, Pvt. Johnson advanced beyond the enemy in a slow deliberate walk. Firing his automatic rifle from the hip, he succeeded in distracting the enemy and enabled his 12 comrades to escape. Advancing to within 5 yards of a machinegun, emptying his weapon, Pvt. Johnson killed its crew. Standing in full view of the enemy he reloaded and turned on the riflemen to the left, firing directly into their positions. He either killed or wounded 4 of them. A burst of machinegun fire tore into Pvt. Johnson and he dropped to his knees. Fighting to the very last, he steadied himself on his knees and sent a final burst of fire crashing into another German. With that he slumped forward dead. Pvt. Johnson had willingly given his life in order that his comrades might live. These acts on the part of Pvt. Johnson were an inspiration to the entire command and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the armed forces.