Sigfred “Morris” Johnson

92 years old

Born in 1923 on the family farm north of Swea City, Iowa

Currently living in Swea City, Iowa

U.S. Army World War II Veteran

It was 1943 when Sigfred “Morris” Johnson was drafted into the U.S. Army. He first headed to Camp Dodge, Iowa (now Fort Dodge) then to North Carolina for training. His next stopover was the East Coast and New York, loading onto a troop carrier ship destined for the battlefields in Europe. That was in October of 1944. Johnson joined up with the 78^th Infantry Division, 309^th Field Artillery, Battery A and headed into combat.

“I served in three areas,” Morris recalled. “I was in the American, European and African theaters during my time in the Army.” When in the European Theater, the Iowa soldier saw action against the Nazis during the Ardennes Offensive (the Battle of the Bulge), as well as in the Rhineland Campaign and fighting in Central Europe which also included deployment to the North Africa / Middle Eastern theater of war.

Johnson was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroic service with military operation against the enemy on December 15, 1944 during a fierce battle at Simmerath, Germany. The official Army commendation told the story how Corporal Johnson, as a forward observer, worked to set up Army telephone communications for the 2nd Battalion, 309th Infantry Regimen. “Under enemy artillery and mortar fire, Corporal Johnson repaired breaks in the telephone lines caused by enemy fire,” keeping the channels of communications open with the American forces during the battle.

With his service to the war effort, John also received two Overseas Service Bars, and American Campaign Medal, European and African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbons, three Bronze Battle Stars, a Good Conduct Medal and a WWII Victory Medal. Johnson was honorably discharged in January 1946, saying goodbye to the Army at Camp Grant, Ill.

Returning home to Swea City, Johnson found work with a local “bottled gas” company, staying with that job for seven years. Love blossomed during his first year back home after the war and he got married in 1947. Johnson said he decided to take a civil service exam, and passed with flying colors. He was “appointed by President Eisenhower” as Swea City's new Post Master. Johnson served as the town's Post Master for 30 years, finally retiring in 1983.