One of Franklin County’s oldest living World War II veterans was recently honored with three state citations recognizing both his 99th birthday and his military service.

Frederic Johnson, of Bernardston received the citations from state Sen. Jo Comerford, state House Speaker Ronald Mariano and Gov. Maura Healey at the Bernardston Senior Center. 

“It was a surprise, to say the very least. They didn’t tell me … anything about setting this thing up. I didn’t know it, and then all of a sudden I’m getting these things,” he said this week.

Born in Brattleboro, Vermont, on Dec. 26, 1924, he was an hour and a half too late to be a Christmas baby.

“It was nice [for] him to be honored and recognized,” said his daughter, Rita Johnson. “And I’m not sure but I think he might be the oldest living World War II vet in the town at this point.”

The elder Johnson said he served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946, but his entry into the armed forces was different than most service members. As a youngster, he explained, a gun he was shooting exploded in his face and gave him a powder burn that resulted in complete blindness in his right eye. This greatly altered his ability to serve but he wanted to do his part for the war effort and was allowed to be a radio technician and operator in the U.S. Army Signal Corps.

Johnson was deployed to the China-Burma-India Theater, where he helped deliver supplies to allied Chinese soldiers.

“My first load of material was 20 50-gallon drums … of aviation gas, high octane,” he recalled with a chuckle in the Northfield Road home he has lived in since 1959. “And I was very happy to get that unloaded.”

Perhaps his fondest memory was when his brother Bob surprised him and the two enjoyed rest and recuperation together. He also mentioned he came home to not much fanfare.

“There was no big hoopla or anything like that on that particular day,” he said. “I was happy to be home.”

Johnson said he worked many jobs after the war, including as a machinist at BETE Fog Nozzle, Inc. and as a farmer and a logger. He was married to Ruth Johnson for nearly 67 years before her death in 2014.

Chris Demars, director of the Upper Pioneer Valley Veterans’ Services District, said he is pleased the state recognizes veterans who have served their country and gone on to have long lives.

“I’m glad somebody who spent his young life fighting for freedom got to come home and enjoy his freedom for as long as he has,” he said of Johnson. “A lot of veterans don’t get to do that. It’s awesome.”

Demars also said his agency helps veterans apply for state citations for their 100th birthday and recommends they reach out three or four months prior to the special day. The veterans’ services district, at 294 Main St. in Greenfield, can be reached at 413-772-1571.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.