Ellsworth Johnson was a courageous American medic
and soldier. Johnson fought in both the European and
Pacific theatres of war in WWII. A draftee, he was first
a medic but volunteered for a dangerous mission and
joined the forerunner of the CIA, the Office of Strategic
Services. In August 1944, Johnson parachuted behind
enemy lines in France to assist the French Resistance
in capturing a strategically vital dam. Next, he transferred
to the Pacific Theatre where he helped train Chinese
paratroopers and also jumped into Japanese-occupied
territory.
Neither he nor his exploits were widely known prior to
1995, when information about Johnson was declassified.
Johnson was the last surviving member of a special-
operations group which was the forerunner of the Green
Berets, and was honored a month before his passing
at 100 years of age with an Army Special Forces tab
and a green beret, presented in a special ceremony at
his assisted-living facility near Grand Rapids, Michigan,
where le lived out his days.
Thank you, sir, for your service and sacrifice. Rest in peace.
MEM
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