Cpl. Kenneth L. Johnson Dies in Belgium Feb. 15
Overseas 16 Months; Suffered Wounds in Germany on Jan. 17
Clear Lake -- Mrs. Kenneth L. Johnson, 710 N. 3rd street, received a message from the war department Wednesday evening as follows:
"The secretary of war asks that I assure you of his deep sympathy in the loss of your husband, Cpl. Kenneth L. Johnson. A report received states that he died Feb. 16 in Belgium as the result of wounds received in action. Confirming letter follow. Ulio, adjutant general"
Mrs. Johnson received word Feb. 1 that her husband had been seriously wounded Jan. 17 in Germany. A letter written for him on Jan. 21 said that he was in Belgium and later a picture of him in a hospital in France was received. Feb. 5, Capt George W. Crofoot, chaplain, wrote that Cpl. Johnson had undergone an operation and received several blood transfusion and that his has condition was serious. Later, Mrs. Johnson received a letter which Cpl. Johnson had written himself and he said he was doing fine and had good care. A card from the war department was received Feb. 13 saying he was making normal recovery.
Cpl. Johnson was born at Thornton Oct. 3, 1920, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Johnson, now living at Forest City. He lived a number of years at Clear Lake and was married to Miss Corabelle Grell Jan. 9, 1941. They lived on the Earl Lambert farm north of town for a time. Two children were born, Bobby, 3, and Anita Mae, 2.
Cpl. Johnson entered service Nov. 13, 1942 and trained at Little Rock, Ark., Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and at Camp Forest, Tenn. before going overseas in the fall of 1943. He landed in Ireland and went thence to England, Belgium and Germany with an engineer combat battalion.
Besides his wife and children, Cpl. Johnson is survived by his parents at Forest City, a brother, Howard L. Johnson, Clear Lake, and 5 sisters, Mrs. Ubbe Winters,Jr., Clear Lake; Mrs. Harley Hansen, Algona; Mrs. Milton Stites and Miss Lorraine Johnson, Britt and Miss June Johnson, at home.
Cpl. Johnson was a member of the Zion Lutheran church and of Odd Fellows lodge, No. 187. Mrs. Johnson lives with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John C. Grell.
Source: The Mason City Globe-Gazette, March 8, 1945 (photo included)
Kenneth L. Johnson was born Oct. 3, 1920 William and Mata Johanna Floy Johnson. He died Feb. 15, 1945 and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Britt, IA.
Cpl. Johnson was wounded in Germany and died of wounds received Feb. 15, 1945 in Belgium. He served with the U.S. Army’s Co. 12th Engineering Combat Battalion.
Sources: ancestry.com
