Canton Heroes Spotlight: PFC Michael J. Julian

The following is the latest installment in an occasional series by Rich Carrara spotlighting the sacrifice and heroism of Canton veterans who were killed in action.

Michael John Julian was born in Mansfield on May 27, 1913. His father owned and operated Moro’s Market, which was just across the street from St. John’s Church (now St. Oscar Romero) in Canton.

Michael J. Julian

Naturally, Michael worked at the market, where I also did odd jobs. He and his wife, Helen May, lived next door to me on Traverse Street, and every Sunday I would pick up the Boston newspaper on their porch and bring it to their apartment. Eventually, Michael and Helen May moved to a house on Pleasant Street in Canton.

Michael registered for the draft sometime in 1940 and entered the service on August 10, 1943, doing his training in South Carolina. For some reason he entered the service under the name of Michael John Giuliani, but most people knew him as Michael Julian.

He shipped out to England on June 16, 1944, and was sent to France around mid-July, attached to Company C of the 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division of the South Carolina National Guard.

Company C was heavily involved in what became known as the “Battle of the Hedgerows” at Saint-Lô, France on the Normandy coast (so called because of the vast density of the ancient hedges that were thorny, thick, very high, and deeply rooted, originally planted for protection, for cattle rearing, and to mark the borders of each farmer’s land). Over the centuries, the hedges spread throughout the area like a natural barricade, and they were virtually impenetrable.

The relentless battle lasted less than three weeks. Losses approached 3,000 American troops killed, as well as thousands of civilians. Saint-Lô was essentially destroyed by the fighting, and it was doubtful that it could ever be rebuilt. However, after many years the town was restored.

Michael survived the battle of Saint-Lô, which officially ended on July 19 and opened the way for General Omar Bradly’s offensive called Operation Cobra. It began just a few days later and the 120th Infantry was heavily engaged. It was during this military operation that Michael was wounded on July 30, 1944. The C Company morning report for July 31 shows that he was evacuated to a hospital on July 30.

Michael succumbed to his wounds on August 2, 1944, and was initially interred at what later became the German military cemetery at La Cambe in Isigny sur Mer, France. Significantly, all American soldiers were eventually removed from this site and re-buried in other American cemeteries or returned to the United States.

Michael’s remains arrived on American soil on Friday, February 6, 1948, escorted by Sgt. Allen Barton. He was buried at Highland Cemetery in Norwood.

PFC Julian was in the military for just shy of one year — 357 days — but it was nearly four years before he returned home. His military plaque is inscribed with his preferred name: Michael John Julian.

Many thanks to Geoff Gentilini of Golden Arrow Research for his assistance in obtaining certain details needed to complete this story.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Mar 17 2023. Filed under Canton History, Features. Both comments and pings are currently closed.