James Allen Johnson Explained

James A. Johnson
Birth Date:June 2, 1924
Birth Place:Stoughton, Wisconsin, U.S.
Death Place:Fairfax County, Virginia, U.S.
Placeofburial:West Point Cemetery
Serviceyears:1943–1944, 1947–1980
Rank:Major General
Commands:U.S. Army Engineer School
U.S. Army Engineer Command, Vietnam
Battles:World War II
Korean War
Vietnam War

James Allen Johnson (June 2, 1924  - July 20, 2016) was a major general in the United States Army who served as Commandant of the U.S. Army Engineer School at Fort Belvoir, and as Deputy Chief of Engineers.[1] [2] He was awarded two Distinguished Service Medals, the Silver Star, two Legion of Merit decorations, two Bronze Star Medals, two Purple Hearts, the Air Medal, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, and the Parachute Badge.[2] [3] [4] [5]

Born in Stoughton, Wisconsin to Norwegian immigrant parents, Johnson graduated from Stoughton High School in 1942. After studying at the University of Wisconsin for one semester, he was drafted into the Army on March 12, 1943 during World War II. Johnson was appointed to the United States Military Academy and graduated with a B.S. degree after three years of study on June 3, 1947. After serving as a combat engineer in Korea, he earned an M.S. degree in industrial engineering from Stanford University in 1957. Johnson later graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College in 1961 and, after a tour of duty in Vietnam, the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1966. His second tour of duty in Vietnam was as commanding general of the U.S. Army Engineer Command and Director of Construction for the Military Assistance Command.[5] [6] [7]

Johnson retired from active duty in August 1980 and settled in Fairfax Station, Virginia. After his death at Fort Belvoir, he was buried in the West Point Cemetery on September 26, 2016.[5] [8]

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Book: Shore & Beach. v. 35-38. American Shore and Beach Preservation Association. 0037-4237. 2015-05-24.
  2. Obituary, James A. Johnson, Major General, US Army (Ret.). The Washington Post (July 31-Aug 2, 2016).
  3. http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=106695 James Allen Johnson Awards and Citations
  4. News: James Allen Johnson . The Boston Globe . July 31, 2016 . Boston, MA . B7 . . November 7, 2020.
  5. Web site: James Allen Johnson . Demaine Funeral Home . August 29, 2022.
  6. Book: U.S. Army Register: United States Army Active and Retired List . January 1, 1966 . I . 289 . U.S. Government Printing Office . August 29, 2022.
  7. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=cNeqibq2y1EC&pg=PA578 . Official Register of the Officers and Cadets . Class of 1947—Register of Graduates . 1971 . 578 . United States Military Academy . August 29, 2022.
  8. Web site: Johnson, James Allen . Army Cemeteries Explorer . U.S. Army . August 29, 2022.