Sergeant Carl D. Johnson, son of Mrs. Mary Johnson of Newton, gave his life while grimly hholding on in the face of an attacking enemy in the front line trenches near Lovline, France, on June 29, 1918.
Carl D. Johnson Killed In France. First Harvey County Soldier Reported Killed In Action. A message came last evening from the war department at Washington, addressed to Mrs. Mary Johnson, giving the information that her son, Caarl D. Johnson, a sergeant of Co. M, 60th U.S. Infantry, had been killed in action on June 29.
This is the first casualty of “killed in action” among the numerous Harvey county boys known to be in the fighting in France. Furthermore, Carl Johnson’s gift to his country was without reserve and given freely. He was but 18 years of age March 20 last, yet he had been a regular soldier for 2 years. He finished the grade schools here, and then enlisted in the regular Army in 1916. He was soon assigned to detached duty training National Army men at various camps in this country, and was sent over seas to join his command last April.
Carl was a brother of A.W. Johnson, furniture dealer here, and of Mrs. W.H. Evans. He also leaves 2 sisters, Miss Nellie and Miss Nora, both of Wichita. The mother left here to make her home with her daughters at Wichita last Saturday, and the message, delivered to Mr. Evans here was relayed to the mother. Carl was a big, strong, manly boy, who made a fine soldier, and his untimely death, though it be a sacrifice in the cause of his country, is a source of deep regret to the many friends of the family 7 years ago, and he lived with his mother until he joined the colors. Under the regulations of the war department he will sleep in French soil, which he fought valiantly to free from the invading oppressor, until the close of the war. The Evening Kansan-Republican, Newton, Kansas. Monday, July 29, 1918. Page 1. (c) Harvey County Genealogical Society.
