Al Johnson

    Our fellow club member, Albert Johnson, served at Camp White from June 1942 through May 1943. Al enlisted in the U.S. Army at Fort Logan Colorado 17 November 1939.

He was sent to Fort Bliss Texas, there being attached to Gen, Custer's old 1st Calvary.

SGT. Johnson was part of the regimental field artillery - D battery 82nd Field Artillery, 1st cavalry when the prime mover of artillery pieces was still the cavalry horse

During this period of time, Al participated in the now famous Louisiana maneuvers of August & September of 1941.

After 2 years 8 months, Al was sent to the new training camp located 6 miles north of Medford Oregon - Camp White - on 15 June 1942.

 21 year old Staff Sergeant Albert Johnson was assigned as a cadre instructor training new men on the 105mm and the 155mm Howitzers for Division field artillery, B battery 346th FA 91st Div

Al trained hard and with his men participated in the famous 91 mile march led by Gen. Charlie Gerhardt, and training on the artillery ranges. Knowing that they would be using their combat skills in battle soon enough.

In November 1943, Al was transferred to Camp Adair Corvallis Oregon to train in the newly formed 70th Division. They soon shipped to overseas duty on the USS Mariposa and landed in southern France. Attached to General Alexander Patch's 7th Army, they went on line as part of "Operation Anvil". When Al got into combat the front lines were in the vicinity of Nancy France.

Staff SGT. Johnson spent the next 3 months in combat participating in many combat actions including the "Battle of Philipsburg", "Battle of Forsback". Passing through the Siegfried line and crossing the famous combat engineers bridge at Remagen.

After Fighting their way into Germany Al and his men ended up at war's end in Frankfurt.

After returning to the United States, Staff SGT. Al Johnson was discharged from service at the separation center at Camp Beale California in 1950. He worked for the Jackson County Public Works and retired in 1982. He was President and one of the founders of the Camp White Historical Association. A volunteer at the Veterans Affairs Domiciliary in White City, a life Member of the Veterans of Foreign wars White City post and a member of the Southern Oregon Military Vehicle Collectors Club.