Russell G.W. Johnson 1919-1944

JOHNSON, LEPPERT

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 4/1/2012 at 21:07:24

Word was received by Mrs. Ralph Leppert of Franklin township last week that her son, Russell Johnson, 22, a Marine, had been killed in action in the south Pacific war theater. The last letter received by his mother was dated May 4.

Born in Chicago, Ill., Russell came here to live with his mother while still a boy. He enlisted in the service before the attack on Pearl Harbor, first in the Navy and then was transferred to the Marines. He had been in the engagements on Guadalcanal Tarawa the Solomons and other southwest Pacific areas.

He is survived by his mother, his stepfather and one brother, Delbert, who is employed in a California defense plant.

~Postville Herald, August 2, 1944

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The United Brethren church at Forest Mills was filled to capacity Sunday by friends and relatives who had come to pay homage to the late Sergeant Russell Johnson at the memorial services conducted by the Rev. Melvin L. Hall. The soloist was the Rev. Joseph Dahl, pastor of the Waukon Alliance Chapel, assisted by the Rev. Delmar Smith of Milwaukee, Wis. The solovox was played by Mrs. Melvin Hall.

Technical Sergeant Russell G.W. Johnson who was reported by the War Department as having been killed in action on June 18, on Saipan Island while fighting the Japanese, was born July 24, 1919, in Chicago, Ill., and enlisted in the U.S. Marines on November 15, 1939. He had seen action during the intervening years on Samoa, Guadalcanal, Tarawa and finally at Saipan where he laid down his life for his country.

He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Ralph Leppert, his step-father, a brother, Delver Johnson, two aunts living in California and an uncle living in Chicago.

~Postville Herald, August 16, 1944

Note: according to Russell's nephew, Reid R. Johnson, Russell's body was returned to the US and is buried in the Smithfield cemetery.