The photo album documents Johnson's experience while serving with the 310th Army Engineers in Northern Russia (primarily Archangel and Solombola) from 1918 to 1919. Photographs depict the exteriors and the interiors of the American army barracks, daily military life, individual and group portraits of American soldiers and officers, and military training. The album also includes scenic views, street scenes, images of religious processions, buildings and churches in Archangel, as well as portraits of the local people. Some photographs depict representatives of the indigenous population of Russian North.
Additional materials, placed in a separate folder, include one small portrait of Johnson in uniform (1917), loose photographs from the Polar Bear Expedition period, his biography, and letters particularly pertaining to his military service. An honorable discharge certificate includes information about Johnson's military rank, medals, time spent as a member of the North Russia Expeditionary Force.
Also included is an application for a Victory Medal and a 1968 The Navy Civil Engineer article by Johnson discussing his second military career during World War II. The folder also contains a hand-drawn sketch of Johnson asking his future wife Dorothy on a date and a photocopy of a letter to Dorothy highlighting a few of his daily military duties and activities.
A decorated World War I and World War II veteran, Robert Colton Johnson was born September 21, 1894 in St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Wisconsin in 1917. Later that year, Johnson joined the 310th Engineers Company C as a 1st Lieutenant (Topographical Officer) and sailed from the U.S. on July 11, 1918, to serve with the American Expeditionary Force, also known as the Polar Bears, in Archangel, Russia. For his service with the Polar Bears, Johnson was awarded the Order of St. Anna 3rd class and the Order of St. Stanislaus 3rd class. Johnson returned to the U.S. on August 1, 1919.
Upon his return from Northern Russia, Johnson spent the next fourteen years employed as a civil engineer. In 1933, he became the Assistant to the Wisconsin State Director of the Public Works Administration, and in 1936 served as the Wisconsin State Director of the Civil Works Administration. The latter position led him to the State Office of the National Recovery Administration, and then into private practice in 1938 with Boynton and Johnson, Consulting Engineers.
In the late 1930s, anticipating a second world war, Johnson joined the United States Naval Reserve, Civil Engineers Corps as a Lieutenant Commander. Returning to active duty in 1940, he was assigned to the Virgin Islands where he was in charge of the construction of a new submarine base and the expansion of the marine air base and the island defense facilities. In 1941, with the onset of World War II, Johnson began his second military career, with the United States Navy. After the completion of his service in the Virgin Islands, he transferred to the Sea Bees and was promoted to Commanding Officer of the 104th Construction Battalion. In 1943, he was promoted to Captain and placed in charge of the 9th Naval Construction Brigade. During this period, Johnson joined the invasion of Iwo Jima ultimately receiving the Legion of Merit with Combat V. In 1946, Johnson engaged in his last stint of active military duty in the support of the invasion of Japan. The Navy promoted Johnson to Commodore and assigned him as Officer in charge of Battalions.
Upon retiring from active duty in 1947, Johnson settled back into civilian life with his family in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, again utilizing his engineering background and military experience to serve as a Chair and consultant on several Milwaukee civic administrations and committees. Though engaged in various civic endeavors, Johnson still found time to participate as an inactive member of the Naval Reserve. In 1953, he was promoted to Rear Admiral and then to Vice Admiral in 1957. Johnson retired from his military and civic careers in the 1960's. Johnson passed away on May 26, 1969.
