In Iron Mountain, they're really proud of Oscar

NEWS RELEASE

CONGRESSMAN BART STUPAK

1ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN

*************************** WASHINGTON - The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that would rename the Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facility in Iron Mountain the "Oscar G. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility."

Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) authored the measure.

"Oscar Johnson was a local hero and a great American," Stupak said.

"Renaming the Iron Mountain Veterans Affairs facility in his honor is a fitting tribute to his valor and heroism," he said.

A Dickinson County native, Johnson served as a sergeant in World War II.

He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration awarded in the United States, for his actions in combat near Scarperia, Italy in September of 1944.

In Scarperia, Johnson defended his unit's flank and single-handedly repelled five companies of German infantry.

On the night of September 16, 1944, with no thought for his own safety, Sergeant Johnson rushed to a shell hole where two of his wounded comrades lay half buried and seriously wounded.

Covering their position with rifle fire, he assisted a medical corpsman in rendering aid.

That night he secured removal of his wounded comrades to the rear and remained on watch until his company was relieved.

"Oscar Johnson's story is one of an ordinary man who displayed extraordinary courage," Stupak added.

"After his heroic service abroad, he returned to Michigan to serve 30 years with the Michigan National Guard, and then retired to Dickinson County where he was a beloved member of the community," he said.

Stupak said that although Johnson was written about in the local press, he was known for his modesty.

The legislation is endorsed by the City of Iron Mountain, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

The entire Michigan U.S. House delegation co-sponsored the bill.

The legislation now heads to the Senate for consideration.

Michigan Senators Stabenow and Levin have also signaled their support for the measure.

Johnson passed away in 1998 at the age of 77.

He was one of only 68 Medal of Honor recipients to survive World War II.

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