Laverne G. Johnson was born in 1919 in Jamestown, New York. He joined the army on 25 November 1940 for a three year enlistment period. He underwent basic training and volunteered for the Airborne. He had parachute training at Ft. Benning, Georgia.

After completing airborne training he was sent to join the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, which joined the 82nd Airborne Division in England after the Division had fought in Italy.

Not much is known about Laverne and his time with the 508th. At this time we don't know what company he belonged to.

508th Parachute Infantry Regiment

82nd Airborne Division
 

Pvt Laverne Johnson participated in Operation Market Garden, the airborne landings in The Netherlands, aimed to capture the bridges over the Waal and Rhine rivers. This would open up the possibility of thrusting north over the Rhine and then into Germany, bypassing the feared Siegfried line.

Laverne would land with the 508th PIR in the early afternoon on 17 September 1944, south east of Nijmegen. After the landing 1st Battalion (A, B and C companies) was to go into Nijmegen to secure the bridge over the Waal river. Although it seemed that few German forces were in the city itself, after the landings, the reconnaissance battalion of the 9th SS Division had come from Arnhem to Nijmegen just in time to stop the Americans from reaching the bridge and capturing it.

On 20 September the 508th held positions to the east and southeast of Nijmegen to protect the bridge which was captured on this day. The Germans put a lot of pressure in the airbornes and during the day a battalion size German Kampgruppe "Becker" attacked the Americans near Berg en Dal and Beek. Plan was to drive a wedge in the 82nd Airborne Division's positions and cut off its supply line that ran from Grave. The Germans dislodged the Americans from Beek and they retreated to Berg en Dal. General James Gavin, Commander of the 82nd, realized the importance of holding Beek en Dal. When it fell, the Germans would have the opportunity to go straight to the just captured bridge in Nijmegen. He went to berg en Dal personally to organize the defense and made sure all troopers realized the importance of their position. The Germans attacked Berg en dal several times. Lt Col Mendez, CO of 3rd Bn, 508th, organized three platoons of H Company to act as mobile trouble shooters, directing them continually to places where the Germans appeared to break through. Finally the Germans relented. This was the sign for the Americans to counter attack as Beek needed to be recaptured to restore the line. In the evening the 508th managed to get into Beek and dig in. Around 23.00 the Germans launched again a fierce counter attack, supported by tanks and armored personnel carriers.

The battle for Beek would last for at least another 12 hours, changing hands several times, until it was finally captured by the Americans.

Private Laverne Johnson was killed on 20 September 1944 during the fighting around Beek en Berg en Dal. He was buried at Molenhoek Temporary Cemetery the next day. After the war he was interred at Lake view Cemetery, Jamestown, New York.

Laverne's grave at Lake View Cemetery (Picture courtesy of Daniel Briggs)

Jamestown, New York

See Also:
All Casualties of the 508th PIR, 82nd Airborne Division killed in Holland or buried at Margraten

Acknowledgements:
Mr. Daniel Briggs, for the picture of Laverne's grave.
www.508pir.org
Norbert de Groot, Als Sterren Aan De Hemel, De Gooise Uitgeverij, Weesp 1977

Directions to Lake View Cemetery, Jamestown, NY

Posted 26 June 2006

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This website is dedicated to the men and women who died and/or are buried in The Netherlands during World War II.

 

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