In 1913, George Johns was a member of the first graduating class of the newly formed Round Rock ISD.
Johns grew up in Round Rock on a ranch located about three miles southwest of Round Rock. After graduation, Johns enrolled in business classes at Trinity College in Round Rock and became a bookkeeper at the W.J. Walsh Limestone Company.
In 1917, George Johns volunteered to serve his country and trained at Camp Bowie, Texas. He was assigned to Company “C” – 132nd Machine Gun Battalion of the 36th Division of the Texas National Guard. The 36th Division served in France during World War I. On Oct. 8, 1918, the 132nd MGB were fighting alongside the French Army near St. Etienne, France against a relentless barrage of German artillery. At times there was less than one hundred yards separated the Allied troops and the Germans. Johns was killed on the battlefield that same day.
St. Etienne was the last major battle the 132nd Battalion encountered before the signing of Armistice on Nov. 11, 1918.
Johns was initially buried at the Meuse-Argonne American City Cemetery. In 1921 his remains were transported to Round Rock.
The American Legion George Johns Post 447 in Georgetown is named in his honor.
