John C. Sjogren

John Carleton Sjogren was a soldier in the United States Army who received the Medal of Honor in World War II during the campaign to recapture the Philippines from Japanese forces in 1945. Against superior numbers, Sjogren was able to kill 43 enemy soldiers as well as destroying 9 pillboxes. He was the first of four soldiers from the 40th Division to receive the Medal. After the war Sjogren joined the Michigan National Guard from 1949–53 where he rose to the rank of First Lieutenant and served in the Korean War before leaving the guard.

He is buried in Rockford Cemetery, Rockford, Michigan.

Medal of Honor citation

<center><big>Sjogren, John C.</big></center><center>Rank and organization:Staff Sergeant,Company I, 160th Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division</center><center>Place and date:Near San Jose Hacienda, Negros, Philippine Islands, May 23, 1945</center><center>Entered service at:Rockford, Michigan</center><center>Citation:</center><blockquote>He led an attack against a high precipitous ridge defended by a company of enemy riflemen, who were entrenched in spider holes and supported by well-sealed pillboxes housing automatic weapons with interlocking bands of fire. The terrain was such that only 1 squad could advance at one time; and from a knoll atop a ridge a pillbox covered the only approach with automatic fire. Against this enemy stronghold, S/Sgt. Sjogren led the first squad to...
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