JOHNSON, HARRIS J.
LITTLE ROCK, Iowa – Harris Jonathan Johnson died Aug. 17, 1942, in combat in the Pacific during World War II. His remains were recovered in December 1999.
He was born May 17, 1913, in Little Rock to Hans and Stella (Kallemeyn) Johnson. He grew up and attended school in the town, graduating from Little Rock High School in 1930. He attended the University of Dubuque, then graduated from Yankton College in 1939. He worked as a teacher and coached in Winner, then joined the Marine Corps at the beginning of World War II. He served as a corporal with Company A, 2nd Raider Battalion in the Pacific and was killed in action on Makin Island, now known as Butaritari Island. He was 29 at the time of his death. His remains were positively identified Oct. 23, 2000, by the Central Identification Laboratory in Hawaii.
Survivors include a sister, Zelda Lewis of Lompoc, Calif.
Graveside services begin at 2 p.m. Thursday in Pleasant View Cemetery in Little Rock. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Marine Corps.
A gathering of friends begins at 12:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Little Rock. Roste Funeral Home in Rock Rapids, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.
The Little Rock American Legion Post will honor Johnson by naming their post Buss-Johnson American Legion Post No. 316.