Robert Gordon Johnson, World War II CasualtyPorter County Data on World War II Casualties . . . .
Robert Gordon Johnson
Seaman First Class, United States Coast Guard
Date of Birth: December 18, 1927, Washington Township, Porter County, Indiana
Date of Death: December 22, 1946, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana
Burial: Graceland Cemetery, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana
Cause of Death: Automobile Accident
Hometown: Valparaiso
Newspaper Notices:
Local Youth Is Killed In Auto Crash
Driver Faces Charge Filed By Prosecutor
Robert Gordon Johnson, Coast Guard Veteran, Dies Early Sunday
Ice on a curve on State Road 49 early Sunday morning was held as the prime
factor in the fatal accident in which Robert Gordon Johnson, 19, of this city,
was killed instantly.
However, the driver of the car, Wilbur Finn, 24, of 705 Lytle, was charged with
driving under the influence of liquor. Through his attorney, James W. Chester,
Finn pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Judge Walter Crisman in Porter
circuit court.
The accident occurred Sunday at 12:10 a. m. on state rad 49, on a curve at the
junction of the road leading to the city's water pumping station at Flint Lake.
According to Sheriff Harry L. Borg, who investigated, Finn lost control of his
1946 Chevrolet sedan, on the ice. He was traveling north toward Chesterton, when
the car skidded across the highway to the left side of the road and turned over.
Suffered Broken Neck
Johnson reportedly suffered a broken neck and skull fracture. Finn was
apparently uninjured. The window on the right side of the vehicle, where Johnson
sat, was smashed and the top of the car was creased on that side, but little
other damage was reportedly sustained.
Finn was given a drunkometer test, and Sheriff Borg reports the reading as being
1.74. The state considers 1.5 alcoholic content in the blood sufficient to term
an individual as being drunk.
On the basis of evidence uncovered to date, the sheriff and prosecutor have not
felt justified in placing a more serious charge against Finn, they stated today
to the Vidette-Messenger reporter. The road condition, they report, was the
principal factor in the accident. Results of the drunkometer test, however, were
such that drunk driving charges were lodged against Finn.
Placed Under Bond
After Finn pleaded not guilty to these charges, his trial was continued until
Jan. 3. Finn was placed under $1,000 bond.
Funeral services for young Johnson who reached his 19th birthday only last
Wednesday, will be held Tuesday at 2 p. m. at the LePell Funeral home.
A former member of the coast guard, with whom he served for almost 18 months,
including overseas duty, Johnson was employed by the Allen Bakery here. He was
born Dec. 18, 1927, in Washington township, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel
Johnson, now residing at 458 S. Campbell street, Valparaiso.
Surviving besides his parents are three sisters, Mary Etta at home, Mrs. Harold
Newsom in Washington, D. C., and Mrs. Leonard Christman, Wanatah; three
brothers, Creed of Valparaiso, William of Kouts, and James of Michigan City; and
also a number of nephews and nieces.
The body may be viewed at LePell funeral home from 7 p. m. tonight until time of
services Tuesday. The Rev. Harold Ford of Indianapolis will officiate. Burial
will be in Graceland cemetery.
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Source: The Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana;
December 23, 1946; Volume 20, Number 145, Page 1, Column 4
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List of
Porter County World War II Casualties
Information abstracted and transcribed by Steven R. Shook