This is a roadside memorial
Roadside Park, M-69
Foster City, Dickinson County
Sgt Oscar Johnson
1921-1998
Medal of Honor "
Oscar Johnson's story is an extraordinary account of bravery and determnination. On September 16, 1944, near Scarperia, Italy, Johnson's outfit was attempting to take a ridge from the Germans. The advance had been stopped by heavy fire and Johnson and his seven man squad found themselves as the only butress of the units' left flank. Within hours all of the men, except Johnson, had been killed or wounded. Johnson, despite repeated attacks against his position by small arms, motar fire, and grenades, was not only able to fend off every attempt to overtake his position, he managed to accept surrender of 25 German soldiers on the night of the 17th! Without significant reinforcements he held the ground and when his Company was relieved on the 18th - 40 dead German soldiers were found in front of Johnson's position.
When he returned home Oscar re-assimilated as part of his small Upper Peninsula community. For years afterward he was just 'Oscar', the guy from down the street. He died in 1998, still a neighbor and friend.
