How do we reflect on what the true meaning of Memorial Day holds within us?
Yes, the obvious enjoyment of a 3 day weekend for those of us still in the workforce. Beers, BBQ, sharing the wind with our fellow biker brethren, are all the obvious gimmicks that come with a national holiday during the summer months.
I hope this story sheds some light on the true purpose to the meaning of "Memorial" in Memorial Day.
This is only one story of many throughout our nations history...
Private First Class Louis Johnson was my great great Uncle... Not to bust out an in-depth analysis of Reb's entire family tree, but my mother's mother's father's brother or great grandfathers’ brother for better context. I never knew my biological great grandfather on that side of the family, he met his demise at a very young age due to illness in the midst of the great depression (death certificate stated locked bowels) best diagnosis the 1930's had to offer I'm assuming.
The Johnson family resided in the same place I still call my hometown of Shipman Illinois (population 700) Obvious the majority of professions in rural southern IL was farming.
Louis Johnson was born April 14 1921 to Solomon and Rhoda (Fannie) Johnson (My GG Grandparents)
Now, fast forward 20 years and place yourself in the shoes of a mother, father, sibling, or kin to a loved one who had either enlisted, or has been selected by a jury of their peers to heed the calling into the greatest world conflict in modern history. Louis's number was pulled and officially (based on the records I finally received from the National Personal Records Archives) entered service into the United States Army Dec 04 1942.
I can track some of his movement from base to base prior to his deployment, as he was very adamant about sending pillow covers and doily's home to his parents and siblings. Fort Riley KS, Camp Roberts California. Luckily my kin on that side of the family did well in preserving them.
The path set forward for him by the US Army lead him to the medical detachment of the 184th infantry regiment
Louis deployed with the 184th to the pacific theater. His word's are marked on the letter below sent to his siblings
Dated: Philippines March 8 1945
Dear Sue and Joe
I shall now try and knock out a few lines as I haven't written to you, as I haven't done so for a long time.
How are all of you doing up there. I hope you never all froze to death this winter. As for yours truly; he is very well. I couldn't feel better and have less. Ha! Ha!
Well I don't know for sure what I will do after this war. I have sorta given up on being a high pressure salesman. I hope, hope, hope.
You wrote and said all the other kids were angels besides Richard. I must say, he just really be awful. Helen really had a temper. Has she gotten over that yet?
I hear that you have sold every hog you had. What is Joe going to do? Stay out of the business or get new stock? You should see the hogs they have here. They remind me of the Ozark razor back hogs. They lead them around like dogs. They either have a rope around their necks, or wire run through the ears.
One day I saw an old women with her pig. She was leading her hog and their were four or five little pigs running along. They crossed a stream which was pretty deep and did I ever get a laugh seeing those little pigs get across it. They really went down stream before they got across.
Well I shall now close for now, as i am out of news, Write when you can and I'll try to do the same
I remain with Love,
your old Bro Louie
Louis and the 184th infantry regiment medical detachment would join forces to support the 7th infantry division for the invasion of the Japanese Ryukyu Island codenamed Operation Iceberg, better known to us in history as the Battle of Okinawa. The invasion began April 1st 1945, Louis wrote home to his parents 1 month into the invasion in the letter below
Dated April 30 1945
From Okinawa
Dear Mother Father & Jack
I will now drop you a few lines to let you know that I am still alright and going strong, How are all of you? How is the weather? Have they been able to get in the fields yet? I'll bet everything is very pretty the way you told me it was. Things are fairly green and pretty.
I haven't gotten any of the papers since I got here. It was starting to come pretty good before I got here. I was very sorry to hear about Harold. I was wondering what happened, For I got a letter from Aunt Clets and she said they felt awful blue about Harold. but until you told me, I though he was only wounded. I surely do feel sorry for Jack and all of them.
I can't think of nothing to write so I'll have to close for this time. I hope that this finds you as well as I am
With love,
Louie
I have not done the research to find out who Harold was. I'm guessing either a distance cousin, relative, neighbor, or classmate who lost his life in service to his country. Little did Louis know, he would have the same fate. These next document are humbling to read, let alone understand the pain and sorrow of the loved one who had to endure every word of these letters. Shared stories of their loved one's demise. The realization, that his life was given in service to his country.
The newspaper article from the local telegraph did list some information incorrectly (imagine that) Louis was never wounded, and I would guess from the last letter the family received mentioned above, the discussion of his friend Harold being wounded, may have translated incorrectly to whomever entered the article into the local paper at that time.
What was a PFC's life worth? Adjusted for inflation in today's dollars - around $1900.
Louis's remains were placed at the 7th infantry division cemetery in Okinawa, plot 1, row 32, grave 933. Where we rested until exhumed and brought home for burial in 1949.
Louis's remains were interred at Woodburn Cemetery in Woodburn IL on Feb 10 1949 - Where he lies today
This is just one story of many-
Everyone, have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend.
