70 years after earning medals West Valley veteran finally receives them


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WEST JORDAN — It's been 70 years, but Richard Johnson still remembers the name of a soldier whose leg was shattered by enemy artillery on a battlefield half a world away.

"It was John Laughlin," Johnson recalled Monday, "but I never knew if he made it or not. I'm sure he lost that leg at least."

Johnson was a private first class on Jan. 10, 1945, when he climbed out of a frozen creek bed where his squad had taken cover from Nazi artillery and machine gunfire, and ran for the wounded man.

"He was screaming for mercy and help," said Johnson, who was able to pull the man to safety under the cover of suppressing fire from his machine gun squad.

"I didn't know that was anything heroic," Johnson said. "I just figured anybody would have done that."

Six years later, in 1951, Johnson was sent a Bronze Star for his actions under fire in that Belgian creek during what became known as the Battle of the Bulge.

It would be another 64 years before he received the rest of the medals and military decorations he earned in the service of his country.

"A couple times when I looked into it, the backlog was so big it took months to get them," the 90-year-old West Valley man said. "So then you just don't bother to get them."


I didn't know that was anything heroic. I just figured anybody would have done that.

–Richard Johnson


That changed when Johnson recently received what many might consider junk mail and thought: "Here's my chance." It was a mailer from Rep. Mia Love, R-Utah, that outlined the services her office provides for constituents. One of those services is tracking down military medals that have been earned but never awarded.

"It was our honor to do that for you," said Love, who wiped away tears as she formally presented Johnson with his Bronze Star.

The first-term congresswoman from Utah County also presented Johnson with the American Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze service stars, the World War II Victory Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Marksman Badge with Carbine Bar, and the Honorable Service Lapel Button.

"This man fought not for the fanfare, not for the medals, but he fought so that our children and grandchildren could enjoy the blessings of freedom," Love said. "That's American exceptionalism, and I honor you, and everyone else who served our country deserves a great deal of respect and gratitude."

Like many veterans, Johnson said he doesn't consider himself a hero. He is grateful though to finally have the medals he earned, so he can proudly display them in his home.

"Once in a while it brings back memories, you know, and that's good," he said.

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