#577 in my research. Eric J Johnson (Erik Julius Johansson) was born in Landa parish, Halland, Sweden, May 21st, 1894. He emigrated from Sweden to North America in April 1911 and arrived in Boston May 11th, 1911. He was settled in Detroit when he signed the Draft in June 1917.
He fought for 47th Infantry Regiment, 4th Division, AEF, when he was killed in action 1st of August, 1918, near the Nesles Wood, north of Seringes-et-Nesles, France. He was initially buried at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery before he was disinterred and shipped back to US in June, 1922, and reburied in Oak Hill Cemetery, Geneva, Illinois.
Many of the Swedish soldiers knew each other quite well even if they belonged to different units in the Great War. They were often active in different societies, like the Swedish “Order of the Vikings”.
Eric met other Swedish born soldiers in this society, and sadly they met the death as well. Like Anton W Lundell, who drowned just before the transport ship “Moldavia” reached the English coast, and Axel Julius Peterson, who also belonged to 4th Division, he was killed in action August 6, 1918. Eric, Axel and Anton belonged to the same society by Frank Shurtleff Carlson, with Swedish roots (Grandparents from Sweden). Frank fell June 5th, 1918, for the US Marines. This is a small indication that the Swedes knew each other and met to keep their Swedish Immigrant heritage together. May they all rest in peace.
Below some photos from different archives together with my own, with photos of the soldiers and their final resting place.
