WWII Interview:

Johnson Young
By: Hope Bruns
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 1.
Background
 Some Background

⬗ Johnson Young
⬗ 95 years old
⬗ Born in San Francisco CA, in the Chinatown area
⬗ Sergeant First Class, E7

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 Before Being in the Military

⬗ When the U.S. entered the war, Johnson lost his job at a
restaurant, because the owners were losing money.
⬗ Due to that, Johnson moved in with his future wife’s home
and slept on a cot for free.
◇ “She’s a kind hearted lady.”
⬗ Eventually Johnson got a job at a metal cutting company,
but then was quickly drafted at 18.

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 How Johnson got Married

⬗ Before leaving for basic training, Johnson heard that

military spouses would receive $100 per month while they
were in the military. That said, Johnson wanted to marry in
order for his future wife to get that bonus.
⬗ The main issue was that the marriage license was $7
dollars, in which he hadn’t gotten paid.
⬗ The judge at their court overheard, and said that if John
served well than he could have the license for free, which is
what happened.
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 2.
In the Military
 WWII

⬗ Drafted at 18 in the army and sent to Fort Ord, California.

◇ Instead of spending 8 weeks in basic training, Johnson
was sent out in 6 weeks.
⬗ Johnson was entered in the war in 1944 and served until the
end on the European front.
⬗ Served 1 tour in Germany in areas such as: Augsburg,
Frankfurt, etc.
⬗ The only injury Johnson faced was getting shot in the back.

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 Actual Job in WWII

⬗ Although Johnson served his normal duties as a soldier in

the army, eventually he became an aid her generals.
⬗ “I was General Westmoreland's aid.”
⬗ “I have secret clearings, that’s my job.”
⬗ “Nobody goes into his office, but me.”
⬗ Johnson essentially delivered documents and messages
about the war to general’s or other high ranks.

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 After WWII

⬗ After WWII, Johnson continued to serve in the army.

⬗ Johnson served two tours in Korea and two tours in Vietnam.
⬗ In Korea, Johnson drank their water and got extremely sick.
⬗ In Vietnam, specifically the second tour, Johnson got agent orange (a
herbicide used in the war to kill forests, many soldiers died from it).
◇ Johnson said he got it when he had to cross a canal, “Powder all
over the water, nobody knew because it never happened in
WWII.”
◇ “I got both legs cut, 4 incisions on my heart.”
◇ “Doctor said, ‘ Why are you still alive?’”

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 3.
After the Military
 After Johnson Retired

⬗ Worked as warden at Folsom Prison for 22 years and said

that Johnny Cash was, “...a good friend of mine...”
⬗ Had two kids: 1 son (lives in San Francisco) and 1 daughter
(died at 72 years).
⬗ Wife died 5 ½ years ago
⬗ Lives at the Paramount Senior Living in Vacaville, CA.

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The End