b. 09/03/1892 Kendall, Kansas. d. 28/08/1949 Denver, Colorado.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 09/11/1918 near Pouilly, France.
Harold I Johnston MOH
World War I Medal of Honor Recipient. He attained the rank of Major in the US Army Air Corps during WWII. He was awarded the Medal of Honor as a Private First Class in Company A, 356th Infantry, 89th Division for action near Pouilly, France on November 9, 1918. His citation reads “When information was desired as to the enemy’s position on the opposite side of the Meuse River, Sgt. Johnston, with another soldier, volunteered without hesitation and swam the river to reconnoiter the exact location of the enemy. He succeeded in reaching the opposite bank, despite the evident determination of the enemy to prevent a crossing. Having obtained his information, he again entered the water for his return. This was accomplished after a severe struggle which so exhausted him that he had to be assisted from the water, after which he rendered his report of the exploit.”
He received his Medal on February 9, 1919 in Chaumont, France from General John J. Pershing.
MOH CITATION:
When information was desired as to the enemy’s position on the opposite side of the Meuse River, Sgt. Johnston, with another soldier, volunteered without hesitation and swam the river to reconnoiter the exact location of the enemy. He succeeded in reaching the opposite bank, despite the evident determination of the enemy to prevent a crossing. Having obtained his information, he again entered the water for his return. This was accomplished after a severe struggle which so exhausted him that he had to be assisted from the water, after which he rendered his report of the exploit.
BURIAL LOCATION: FAIRMOUNT CEMETERY, DENVER, COLORADO.
BLOCK 46, LOT 1, SECTION 53.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: BELIEVED TO BE FAMILY.
