Legs Johnson: One Soldier’s Story from the Greatest Generation lecture by Mary Susan Heath
Presented by the Foundation of Wayne Community College
What were the factors and influences of growing up during the Great Depression that created the Greatest Generation? What motivated those men who traded in their overalls for a military uniform — whose loyalties lay with God, country, and family? Lieutenant Colonel Lehman H. “Legs” Johnson spent a decade sharing his life’s story with his beloved niece, Mary Susan Heath. In her book, she documented stories from his childhood in Johnston County, his participation in the
Philippine Campaign in World War II, his role after the war in executing Nazi war criminals at Landsberg Prison, Germany, and his service during the Korean War. Join the Foundation in an interview with Heath as she takes us through his fascinating life journey.
Mary Susan Heath, Wayne County educator, is the author of Legs Astride the World. Heath is a retired journalism teacher who was certified twice as a National Board Teacher. She holds a master’s degree in English from N.C. State University and her thesis is published in the CLA Journal and the Journal of Modern Literature. Currently, she serves as the volunteer Education and History Consultant for the Wayne County Historical Society. In this capacity, she has partnered with Wayne County Public Schools to write two plays, “Home Grown in Goldsboro, Dorothy Cotton” (1930-2018) and “Lady Liberty,” for a newly launched traveling trunks exhibition. Heath is an active member of the Goldsboro Writers’ Group and resides in Goldsboro and in Little River, South Carolina.
