Local and federal dignitaries held a ceremony honoring James C. “Billy” Johnson, who was killed in Italy in 1944.
By KRYSTAL NURSE
The Sun
Family members of 2nd Lt. James C. “Billy” Johnson gathered on Nov. 8 to see Harrison Township and Congressman Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ2) formally dedicate and rename the Mullica Hill Post Office on 123 Bridgeton Pike after Johnson.
Johnson was born on May 16, 1920 in Richwood and attended schools in Mullica Hill, Glassboro and South Carolina before enlisting in the U.S. Army. He rose to the rank of Second Lieutenant during his time in the Army.
Johnson was a part of the famous 92 Infantry Division, commonly referred to as the Buffalo Soldier Division, which was the only combat African-American infantry division in Europe during World War II of the U.S. Fifth Army. The men were in Italy where Johnson was killed by an enemy mortar.
“It’s been nearly 75 years since he made the ultimate sacrifice while on a foreign land defending democracy and America,” said Harrison Township Mayor Louis Manzo. “This also makes the point that it’s never forgotten and that it’s for posterity to look back.”
Johnson’s first and second cousins Joyce Pierce and Barbara Bundy, respectively, gave remarks on Johnson and the feeling the family felt upon hearing the news of the discovery of his remains. Bundy spoke on Pierce’s behalf during the ceremony.
“He sacrificed his life and answered the call to help secure some of the freedoms now enjoyed by us all,” Bundy said. “This honor that has been bestowed upon his name affords no fortune or fame. It means that James ‘Billy’ Johnson is no longer far away. James ‘Billy’ Johnson is finally home to stay.”
Former deputy mayor of Harrison Township Dennis Clowney, who is also a veteran of the U.S. Army, helps orchestrate the renaming process within Harrison Township with the help of the township’s committee to honor area veterans on streets or public buildings.
Clowney spoke at the event and said that it took nearly three years to finalize plans with the township and LoBiondo to receive the President’s signature to formally re-name the building in Johnson’s honor on March 23.
“It went through subcommittees in Congress and through the Congress, and watching C-SPAN (public affairs cable network) was pretty good that day and see different congressmen and congresswomen speak on why it is a good thing for the building to be renamed,” said Clowney.
LoBiondo added that Clowney’s relentless, persistent efforts to contact him inquiring on the progress helped move things along and was, overall, a rewarding process for the end result.
“I think it’s significant for many things, one because of the sacrifices that Billy made,” said LoBiondo. “As Frank [DiMarco of the Gloucester County Board of Chosen Freeholders] said, ‘freedom is not free.’”
Following the event, Dennis W. Bundy, Johnson’s second cousin, added that as residents of Mullica Hill, they’re able to see the plaque and remain close with Johnson.
“We all grew up here,” said Bundy. “My mother (Joyce Pierce) was a first cousin to him and hearing the stories about him and his brothers, who were brothers to her because she was an only child. This just brings us closer to someone that we never met or knew.”
