Rexford L Johnson

Sgt Rexford Johnson was killed in action on 09 June 1944, serving with Company B, 299th Engineer Combat Battalion. On 9 June 1944, the 299th Engineer Combat Battalion was still working the OMAHA Beach area in the days following the invasion, its men worn down by overwork and short rations after the initial landings. That afternoon, personnel who had been detached to other units during the beachhead fighting were released and returned to the battalion's own ranks. By late that night, the beach had been cleared of all standing obstacles, and the battalion came under the attachment of the 336th Engineers, part of the 5th Engineer Special Brigade, as the engineering effort shifted toward consolidating the beachhead. Sgt Johnson was killed in action that day; the report does not specify the individual circumstances.