RESIDENCE (DURING WWII):
Firth, Idaho
FULL NAME:
Morris D. Johnson
ARMY SERIAL NUMBER (ASN):
39827434
- DATE OF BIRTH: Dec 31, 1917
- DATE OF DEATH: Sept 23, 2004
DATE / PLACE OF ENLISTMENT:
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DATE OF ENLISTMENT:Apr 22, 1942
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PLACE OF ENLISTMENT:Basalt, Idaho
ORGANIZATION:
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MAIN UNIT:23rd Infantry Regiment
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SUBUNIT:Company D, 1st Battalion
RANK / POSITION IN UNIT (LAST KNOWN):
-
RANK:Private First Class (Pfc.)
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POSITION IN UNIT:Member of Mortar Team
BATTLES AND CAMPAIGNS:
✭ Normandy Campaign (6 June – 24 July 1944), ✭ Ardennes-Alsace Campaign (16 December 1944 – 25 January 1945), ✭ Rhineland Campaign (15 September 1944 – 21 March 1945), ✭ Central Europe Campaign (22 March – 11 May 1945)
DECORATIONS AND CITATIONS (AWARDS):
🎖Purple Heart, 🎖Good Conduct Medal, 🎖European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, 🎖WWII Victory Medal, 🎖Combat Infantry Badge
SUMMARY OF HIS SERVICE:
Morris Johnson grew up as the eldest child of William Ezra and Ada Johnson on a potato farm in Idaho. During World War II, he entered military service in 1943, trained at Camp McCoy and in Michigan, and deployed to Ireland in October 1943 in preparation for the D-Day invasion. He served until October 1945, when he was discharged from Camp Swift, Texas. His four younger brothers also served during the war, and all returned safely home to Idaho.
In 1950, Morris married Rhea, and together they raised nine children in Utah. Although he rarely spoke about his wartime experiences beyond D-Day, he was remembered for his determination, devotion to family and country, and strong work ethic. These values became a lasting legacy passed on to his children and future generations.
