// Workers AI · dad joke modeIs Ellsworth Johnson a good wrestler? He's got a grip on the subject.
Ellsworth Johnson | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Johnson in 2023 | |
| Nickname | Al |
| Born | July 5, 1923 Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | September 30, 2023 (aged 100) |
| Allegiance | United States |
Branch | OSS OG |
Service years | 1943–1945 |
Rank |  Technician 4th Grade |
Conflicts | |
| Spouse | Jeanette DeBoer (m. 1947 – d. 2021) |
| Children | 3 |
Ellsworth "Al" Johnson (5 July 1923 – 30 September 2023) was an American World War II veteran who served in the Operational Group Command of the Office of Strategic Services. He is believed to be the oldest known member of the OSS.[1]
Biography
[edit]Early life
[edit]Ellsworth Johnson was born in an army hospital in Ohio to John and Marie Johnson. He is of Swedish and Dutch descent. He was educated at Central High School in Grand Rapids in 1942 and was drafted into the U.S. military in 1943.[2]
Career in the military
[edit]Although Johnson was originally trained as a medic, he didn't like the role of being a "bedpan jockey", so he volunteered for the OSS and was shipped to train in North Africa.[2] He was then placed in a French operational group after training.[3]
In August 1944, Johnson, alongside his 25-man team codenamed "Patrick", parachuted behind German enemy lines. They successfully captured a hydroelectric plant and a dam located near Eguzon with the help of the French Resistance inside German-occupied territory.[1][2][3]
After serving in France for about a month, he volunteered to serve in the Pacific Theatre alongside his fellow soldiers in July 1945.[2] He trained and worked with the 2nd Chinese Commando and led an assault against a Japanese garrison residing in a Chinese town.[2][4] They failed to take over the town, but the opposition took major casualties.[1][2]
Post-military
[edit]Following the surrender of the Japanese in August 1945, Johnson was discharged from the military alongside his fellow OSS soldiers.[2] After the discharge, he earned an associate degree from Grand Rapids Junior College and continued to work as a machinery and beauty supply salesman.[1][2]
In 1947, he married Jeanette DeBoer and had 3 children together. He wrote a memoir in 2019 titled Behind Enemy Lines: The O.S.S. in World War II, detailing his experiences in the war.[1] Johnson died on 30 September 2023 in Zeeland, Michigan.[1]
Awards
[edit]Johnson received two Bronze Star Medals after his experience as a Technician 4th Grade in World War II.[2][4] He was commissioned as an honorary colonel in the Chinese Nationalist Army.[2][4] He had also received a Congressional Gold Medal due to his service in the OSS. He was also awarded the First Legion of Honor Medal from France due to his service on their territory. In 2023, he received a Special Forces Tab and a Green Beret following a ceremony in his assisted living center in Zeeland.[2][3][5]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Winkie, Davis (2023-09-01). "World War II special operations veteran receives Special Forces tab". Army Times. Retrieved 2026-07-27.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Roberts, Sam (2023-10-06). "Ellsworth Johnson, Last Survivor of a Secret Army Unit, Dies at 100". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-07-27.
- 1 2 3 "100-year-old WWII veteran receives special forces honor". www.army.mil. 2023-09-05. Retrieved 2026-07-27.
- 1 2 3 "Ellsworth Johnson (1923-2023), 100-year-old WWII special-ops veteran | News". Legacy.com. 2023-10-09. Retrieved 2026-07-27.
- ↑ Martin, Michael (2023-09-01). "'I wanted action': 100-year-old Army veteran named member of Special Forces, awarded Green Beret". FOX 17 West Michigan News (WXMI). Retrieved 2026-07-27.