The Johnson Purple Heart Conundrum (WWII KIA Medal)

[jeffs1130]

So, I came across this Silver Star & Purple Heart Grouping on eBay last week. The Seller is in Canada and was asking over $470 USD. He stated he bought out a large collection of medals and this came from that collection. According to his research and copies of papers he says came with the medals, he believes they were associated with a "LT ROBERT E. JOHNSON" 92ND INFANTRY DIVISION (COLOURED)" per General Order #41 Dated June 13th 1945.

 

 

My question to him was how do you know these medals belonged to that Johnson? To which I was given the aforementioned answer and told that he could find no other Johnson that received a Silver Star & Purple Heart during WWII...

 

I replied, that based on the fact the Purple Heart is hand engraved, it would lead me to believe that it was awarded posthumously and that he had the wrong Johnson! As that Johnson was not Killed in Action, a POW, nor anything else that would warrant an engraved Purple Heart like that. And the Silver Star has a hole in the drape, denoted an Oak Leaf Cluster was present and removed. Lt Johnson didn't receive 2 Silver Stars, so doubt that is his medal... The seller never replied...

 

Not trying to downplay the significance of the medal, looks legit to me but unfortunately due to bad stewardship, the true identity of Robert E. Johnson is probably lost to history...

 

I found no less than 8 - Robert E. Johnson(s) who were killed during WWII and there may be more! From an AAF Lt., to an 82nd Airborne Trooper, to a 1st Division D-Day KIA! And obviously that all factors into value/rarity (not to make this about money)... But we all know a D-Day or 82nd AB PH would be very desirable to any collector!

 

I guess at the end of the day someone could get this medal and make it whichever Johnson they want it to be... Unfortunately, no one will truly ever know!

 

Your Comments & Thoughts Are Always Appreciated!

Maybe you know your Johnsons better than I do...

 

Rest in Peace Robert E. Johnson - You'll Are NOT Forgotten!

 

 

Robert E Johnson

Entered the Service From: California

Rank: 1st Lieutenant

Service: U.S. Army Air Corps

Died: December 29, 1942

Robert E Johnson

Entered the Service From: New Jersey

Rank: Staff Sergeant

Service: U.S. Army, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division

Died: June 6, 1944

Robert E. Johnson

Entered the Service From: Massachusetts

Rank: Private

Service: U.S. Army, 505th Parachute Infantry Regt, 82nd Airborne Division

Died: June 10, 1944

Robert E Johnson

Entered the Service From: New York

Rank: Private First Class

Service: U.S. Army (Unknown Infantry Unit)

Died: September 15, 1944

Robert E. Johnson

Entered the Service From: California
Private First Class
Service: U.S. Army, 41st Infantry Battalion, 2nd Armored Division
Died: November 19, 1944

Robert E Johnson

Entered the Service From: Indian

Rank: Private First Class

Service: U.S. Army, 395 Infantry Regiment, 99th Infantry Division

Died: March 18, 1945

Robert E Johnson

Entered the Service From: Michigan

Rank: Private

Service: U.S. Army, 383 Infantry Regiment, 96^th Infantry Division

Died: April 24, 1945

Robert E Johnson

Entered the Service From: Illinois

Rank: Tech 5

Service: U.S. Army, Quartermaster Corps

Died: July 25, 1945

 

 

 

[tarbridge]

Unfortunately, a case where you will always have questions but no answer.

[TheMariner]

I also have seen this PH he has had it for sale for actually a pretty long time at least 6 months or more! Most of his groupings are a little bit shady and seem put together I wouldn't buy from him! Sad we will never know which soldier it actually belonged too!