Russell J. Johnson was born march 11, 1917 in Parma, MO. He was drafted into the Army in April 1944. His basic training was at Fort Riley Ks on Camp Forsyth. Additional train was Horse Cavalry and Pack Mule Training. Johnson was one of the last units to train in the Horse Cavalry at Fort Riley. After basic training he was sent to the Pacific Theatre landing in New Guinea and was part of the invasion of Luzon, Philippines. Johnson then went with his group to occupy Japan. Their orders were to invade the capital Toyoko, Japan in September 1945. When they arrived it was bad weather and over night all their rations were destroyed by wind. A navy ship in the area provided them with pears for provisions. Johnson was a guard at the Imperial Palace where General Douglas McArthur was located. The war ended and Johnson returned to the United Sated in December 1945 for training at Fort Campbell. Johnson was stationed to Fort Riley with his unit the 26th Scout Dog Platoon. He finished his career in the Army as a dog instructor, training soldiers on handling their guard and attack dogs. Johnson made his civilian life in Junction City, KS, the city next to Fort Riley. He married Marian a local girl he met in the PX. He started Johnson Landscaping which is still in business, ran by his sons.

Curtesy of the Daly Union