William Johnson was captured after the fall of Corregidor and held as a Prisoner of War, but successfully escaped to continue resistance with the guerrilla forces on Mindanao until he was evacuated on May 9, 1945.
Sponsored by:
William
Harry
Johnson
POW (WWII) Escapee
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Seaman First ClassBatallion:
Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 3 (MTB-3)Action Date:
March 11 – 13, 1942
Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Order No. 43 (March 15, 1942) & Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 306 (September 1942)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) to Seaman First Class William Harry Johnson (NSN: 2832703), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving on Motor Torpedo Boat THIRTY-FIVE (PT-35), Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron THREE (MTB-3), from 11 to 13 March 1942, in the Philippine Islands during a extraordinary action in a retrograde maneuver involving General Douglas MacArthur. With marked skill and coolness, Seaman First Class Johnson performed this mission of major strategic importance and of a most hazardous nature in the face of greatly superior enemy forces. His conduct throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Military Forces of the United States.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Seaman First ClassDivision:
Prisoner of War (Philippine Islands)Action Date:
May 6, 1942 – 1943
NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 1947Seaman First Class William Harry Johnson (NSN: 2832703), United States Navy, was captured by the Japanese after the fall of Corregidor, Philippine Islands, on 6 May 1942, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his successful escape from captivity.