Here is a great Purple Heart that some of you guys may find interesting. I posted it on the US Militaria site three days ago, on the 75th anniversary - it got a lot of views but but no replies so I'll post it here as well. I was lucky to get this PH from another collector a year or so ago.
John A Johnson, from Brooklyn, served with 87th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Armored Division. His unit was added to reinforce positions at the crucial crossroads as St. Vith and the surrounding area were being evacuated. The crossroads was crucial because of its access to multiple roads, its high altitude for the area, and that it was a point to keep the Germans from surrounding the retreating elements from the St. Vith pocket. The men at the crossroads held for days until they were finally overrun by crack German units, particularly 2. SS Panzer-Division. Johnson was likely positioned northwest of Regne, just east of the crossroads, in the direction of Vielsalm. He and the men in which he defended the area were initially reported MIA and were probably lost to the intense shelling by the Germans before and as they attacked the area. Johnson was ultimately recovered and buried at Henri Chapelle but ultimately disinterred and sent back to be buried in NY at the request of his sister and brother. His Report of Burial shows wounds to the legs and head. Johnson was born on May 9, 1912 - at 31 he was likely an older Private among the men.
I started researching and reading about these events during the Battle of the Bulge but then found some great resources on line. He is specifically mentioned on a page about the 87th (on the 7th Armored site) and there is a good write-up about the fighting on the CMH site.
Brian
https://www.7tharmdd...baraque-7ad.htm
https://history.army.../7-8/7-8_16.htm
John A Johnson, from Brooklyn, served with 87th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Armored Division. His unit was added to reinforce positions at the crucial crossroads as St. Vith and the surrounding area were being evacuated. The crossroads was crucial because of its access to multiple roads, its high altitude for the area, and that it was a point to keep the Germans from surrounding the retreating elements from the St. Vith pocket. The men at the crossroads held for days until they were finally overrun by crack German units, particularly 2. SS Panzer-Division. Johnson was likely positioned northwest of Regne, just east of the crossroads, in the direction of Vielsalm. He and the men in which he defended the area were initially reported MIA and were probably lost to the intense shelling by the Germans before and as they attacked the area. Johnson was ultimately recovered and buried at Henri Chapelle but ultimately disinterred and sent back to be buried in NY at the request of his sister and brother. His Report of Burial shows wounds to the legs and head. Johnson was born on May 9, 1912 - at 31 he was likely an older Private among the men.
I started researching and reading about these events during the Battle of the Bulge but then found some great resources on line. He is specifically mentioned on a page about the 87th (on the 7th Armored site) and there is a good write-up about the fighting on the CMH site.
Brian
https://www.7tharmdd...baraque-7ad.htm
https://history.army.../7-8/7-8_16.htm
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