Bernard Johnson was born on March 29, 1920, in Cortlandville, Cortland County, New York. He was the son of Charles Herbert Johnson and Ellen E. O'Brien Johnson. He served in the 803rd Engineer Battalion, Aviation, as a Private First Class during World War II.

After the fall of Bataan in the hands of the Japanese Army on April 9, 1942, PFC Johnson was one of the 10,000 to 12,000 Americans who were forced to march over 60 miles under brutal conditions, resulting in 1,000 to 5,000 deaths due to starvation, dehydration, and abuse. Survivors were sent to Camp O'Donnell, where dire conditions, including overcrowding, malnutrition, and disease, caused an additional 1,500 to 2,300 American deaths within weeks. Those who survived faced ongoing hardships, including transfers to other camps and forced labor, where many continued to suffer or die.

PFC Johnson was among the American soldiers who lost their lives in captivity on July 31, 1942. He is now buried in the Saint Mary's Cemetery, Cortland, Cortland County, New York, USA.

Source of information: www.livescience.com