Honoring Veterans: Marine Corps Veteran Purcell Johnson

 This week’s Honoring Veterans Spotlight honors the service of Marine Corps Veteran Purcell Johnson, who served during WWII from 1943 to 1946.

Johnson was from Dahlgren, Virginia. Many of his family members have military backgrounds, including his sister, Romay Davis, and his brother, Stan Johnson, who both received a Congressional Gold Medal.

Johnson registered for Selective Service in 1942, working at the Dahlgren Navy Yard before finally enlisting in the Class III Volunteer Marine Corps Reserve in October 1943. Along with his younger brother, he eventually became a Marine at Montford Point Camp in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

Johnson served in the 7th Separate Infantry Battalion and then ultimately transferred to the 29th Marine Depot Company in July 1944 when he was promoted to corporal. He was stationed at Banika Island, where his unit provided logistical support to other Marine units. He later relocated to Guam in Marianas Island, where he earned his sergeant stripes in July 1945. In January 1946, he became an MP.

Johnson returned to the states and was honorably discharged. He served three years in the Marine Corps Reserve, including two of those years overseas. He was celebrated as an aircraft mechanic with Trans World Airlines in his post-military career.

Johnson died April 2002. He was 78. In January 2024, his sister, Pvt. Romay Johnson Davis, received his posthumous bronze replica of the Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony in Montgomery on his behalf, making him the third sibling with this medal.

We honor his service.

Nominate a Veteran

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s “Honoring Veterans” social media spotlight is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Writer: Trinity Green

Editor: Tayler Rairigh

Researcher: Raphael Romea

Graphic Designer: Kiki Kelley