Name: Harold Bernard JOHNSON Rank / Rating: S1-Seaman First Class Service #: 860 18 68 DOB: Dec 04, 1925 From: Decorah, Iowa Parents: Went Aboard: May 7, 1944 Age When Ship Went Down: 19 years, 7 months, 26 days Spouse: Children: Grandchildren: Bio Submitted By: Admin Date Posted: Jul 30, 2025
JOHNSON, Harold B
Seaman First Class Johnson was born December 4, 1925, near Decorah, Iowa.
He was called into the service February 2, 1944.
After his boot training was completed at USNTC (United States Naval Training Center), Great Lakes, Illinois he was assigned on May 7, 1944, to the USS Indianapolis.
He served as an anti-aircraft gunner and received five battle stars for participating in the first attack on Tokyo and the battles of Palau, Iwo Jima, Saipan and Okinawa.
He lost his life at age 19 on July 30, 1945, when the USS Indianapolis was sunk in the Philippine Sea as a result of enemy action.
He was survived by two sisters, Margaret Usgaard and Arline Gerleman, both of whom were living in Decorah, Iowa.
He was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously.
Source Credits
USS Indianapolis CA-35 Crew Members Association, (1997), USS Indianapolis (CA-35), Turner Publishing Co., Paducah, KY. Copyright 1997 by Turner Publishing Co. Reprinted with permission.
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Rank / Rating: S1-Seaman First Class
