Howard Johnson (American football)

Howard White "Smiley" Johnson (September 22, 1916 – February 19, 1945) was a professional American football offensive lineman in the National Football League. He played the 1937, 1938 and 1939 college football seasons at the University of Georgia before joining the Green Bay Packers for the 1940 and 1941 seasons.[1]

Howard Johnson
1st Lieutenant Howard W. Johnson, USMC
Date of birth(1916-09-22)September 22, 1916
Place of birthMurfreesboro, Tennessee, United States
Date of deathFebruary 19, 1945(1945-02-19) (aged 28)
Place of deathIwo Jima, Bonin Islands, Japanese Empire
Career information
Position(s)Guard
US collegeGeorgia
Career history
As player
1940–1941Green Bay Packers
Career stats
Military career
AllegianceUnited States United States
Service / branchU.S. Marines seal United States Marine Corps
Years of service1942–1945
Rank1st Lt. First Lieutenant
Unit Marine Division
23rd Marines
Battles / warsWorld War II
AwardsSilver Star (2)
Purple Heart
Marines gather around the sign denoting the dedication of Smiley Johnson Field on Maui.

He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1942 and became an officer. In addition to seeing combat with the 4th Marine Division, he played for a service football team in Maui, Hawaii.[2] He served with I Company, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marines through the battles of Kwajalein, Saipan (earning a Silver Star), and Tinian.[3] On February 19, 1945, 1st Lieutenant Johnson was killed in action by a mortar shell at the Battle of Iwo Jima and awarded a second Silver Star posthumously; he was one of three former NFL players to die on Iwo Jima along with Jack Chevigny and Jack Lummus. Johnson was buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu on February 2, 1949.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "Battlefield heroes: Smiley Johnson". Cold, Hard Football Facts. May 24, 2007. Archived from the original on January 8, 2016. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
  2. ^ a b Anton, Todd; Nowlin, Bill (November 15, 2013). When Football Went to War. Triumph Books. pp. 60–62. ISBN 978-1600788451.
  3. ^ Lawrence, Dave (March 4, 2005). "New HOF Display Honors Packers War Hero". Green Bay Packers. Archived from the original on October 13, 2008. Retrieved January 16, 2010.