Theodore Johnson was born and raised in Newton, Massachusetts. He was the youngest son of Oscar and Louise Johnson, and attended Dartmouth College.

Ted enlisted in the Marine Corps in February, 1942. After completing his training at Parris Island, he was sent to the Marine barracks at Balboa near the Panama Canal. He was only there a few months before being appointed a Private First Class and sent to Quantico, Virginia, for officer candidate school. He received his commission as a second lieutenant in late 1942, and was posted to Company C, First Separate Battalion at New River.

Johnson was promoted to First Lieutenant in the summer of 1943, and became the company executive officer. He was close friends with a number of other officers in the battalion, even joining a four-part singing group.

"TK" embarked on the USS DuPage in January 1944, and sailed with his battalion for the invasion of Namur. A heavy sleeper, he was late to wake up even on the morning of the invasion.

A few short hours later, Lieutenant Johnson was shot in the leg by a Japanese sniper. He was quickly evacuated to the USS Bolivar, but died of his wound during the night of February 1, 1944. He was buried at sea.

Theodore K Johnson