Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Royal
Cleaves
Johnson
October 3, 1882

–

August 2, 1939

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

Royal Johnson graduated from the law department of the University of South Dakota at Vermilion in 1906. He served as attorney general of South Dakota 1910-1914; elected as a Republican to the Sixty-fourth and to the eight succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1915-March 3, 1933), and took a leave from Congress to serve in World War I.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    313th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    79th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 26 – 27, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 3, 1924

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Royal Cleaves Johnson, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 313th Infantry Regiment, 79th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Montfaucon, France, September 26 – 27, 1918. Lieutenant Johnson constantly exposed himself to the enemy fire during the action at Montfaucon, setting an example to his men by his fearlessness. When severely wounded by shell fire, he assisted two wounded men of his company to the rear and refused to occupy space in the ambulance until these men had been provided for.