Clarksville in Montgomery County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Howard White “Smiley” Johnson

1916-1945

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, December 9, 2024

1. Howard White “Smiley” Johnson Marker

Inscription. Born in 1916, Johnson grew up in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Orphanage in Clarksville. He played football at Clarksville High from 1933 to 1935 and earned All America honors at the University of Georgia. He played for the Green Bay Packers from 1940 to 1941. In 1942 he joined the USMC during World War II and fought at the battles of Kwajalein Atoll, Saipan, and Tinan. In 1945 he was killed at the Battle of Iwo Jima and buried in Hawaii. Lt. Johnson was awarded two Silver Stars for bravery and heroism. VFW Post 4895 is named in his honor.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3C 94.)

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Sports • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1916.

Location. 36° 30.855′ N, 87° 18.946′ W. Memorial is in Clarksville, Tennessee, in Montgomery County. It is at the intersection of Madison Street (Alternate U.S. 41) and Haynes Street, on the right when traveling west on Madison Street. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near

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this postal address: 1602 Haynes St, Clarksville TN 37043, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Middle Tennessee

and in the Highland Rim.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Cave Johnson (approx. 1.9 miles away); Bailey Cobb Elementary School (approx. 2 miles away); Historic Mount Olive Cemetery (approx. 2.1 miles away); Catholic Church and Rectory (approx. 2.2 miles away); St. John Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 2.3 miles away); St. Peter African Methodist Church (approx. 2.3 miles away); Archwood (approx. 2.3 miles away); Robert Loftin Newman (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Clarksville.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, December 9, 2024

2. Howard White “Smiley” Johnson Marker

1st Lt. Howard White “Smiley” Johnson image. Click for full size.

U.S. Marine Corps records, National Archives; via Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain), circa 1944/45

3. 1st Lt. Howard White “Smiley” Johnson

Johnson is seen after receiving the Silver Star for his actions in the June 1944 Battle of Saipan. At Iwo Jima, he was injured by a Japanese artillery shell but declined medical attention until the wounded enlisted men under his command were treated first. He was posthumously awarded a second Silver Star.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 198 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 9, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.