William J . Johnston William J . Johnston , Sr . , ( August 15 , 1918 – May 29 , 1990 ) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military ' s highest decoration — the Medal of Honor — for his actions in World War II . Biography . Johnston joined the Army from Colchester , Connecticut , and by February 17 , 1944 was serving as a private first class in Company G , 180th Infantry Regiment , 45th Infantry Division . On that day and the following day , near Padiglione , Italy , he manned his machine gun without rest , twice staying behind to cover his unit ' s withdrawal . Although seriously wounded on February 18 , he continued to man his gun until being overrun by German forces . He was able to make his way back to friendly lines on the 19th and provided valuable information on German positions . For these actions , he was awarded the Medal of Honor seven months later , on September 6 , 1944 . Johnston left the Army while still a private first class . He died at age 71 and was buried in the State Veterans Cemetery , Middletown , Connecticut . A section of Connecticut Route 16 between Colchester and Lebanon is named in his honor , as is Colchester ' s public middle school . Medal of Honor citation . Private First Class Johnston ' s official Medal of Honor citation reads : For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy . On 17 February 1944 , near Padiglione , Italy , he observed and fired upon an attacking force of approximately 80 Germans , causing at least 25 casualties and forcing withdrawal of the remainder . All that day he manned his gun without relief , subject to mortar , artillery , and sniper fire . Two Germans individually worked so close to his position that his machinegun was ineffective , whereupon he killed 1 with his pistol , the second with a rifle taken from another soldier . When a rifleman protecting his gun position was killed by a sniper , he immediately moved the body and relocated the machinegun in that spot in order to obtain a better field of fire . He volunteered to cover the platoon ' s withdrawal and was the last man to leave that night . In his new position he maintained an all - night vigil , the next day causing 7 German casualties . On the afternoon of the 18th , the organization on the left flank having been forced to withdraw , he again covered the withdrawal of his own organization . Shortly thereafter , he was seriously wounded over the heart , and a passing soldier saw him trying to crawl up the embankment . The soldier aided him to resume his position behind the machinegun which was soon heard in action for about 10 minutes . Though reported killed , Pfc . Johnston was seen returning to the American lines on the morning of 19 February slowly and painfully working his way back from his overrun position through enemy lines . He gave valuable information of new enemy dispositions . His heroic determination to destroy the enemy and his disregard of his own safety aided immeasurably in halting a strong enemy attack , caused an enormous amount of enemy casualties , and so inspired his fellow soldiers that they fought for and held a vitally important position against greatly superior forces .