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Specialist Fifth Class Alan Howard Johnson
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Sketch by Cliff Wheeler
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Specialist Fifth Class Alan Howard Johnson
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Sketch by Cliff Wheeler
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SP5 Alan Howard Johnson was a 21 year old Single, African American Male from SOUTH Ozone Park, New York. His mother, Mrs. Loretta Johnson and his father, Mr. Linwood Johnson still reside in the area. Alan was born in Ozone Park and grew up in the area. In his early years he had a wide circle of friends and was known by his family and friends as a caring individual who was respected by all. Alan attended New York public schools and graduated from Franklin K. Lane High School. He was a good student excelling in both basketball and football. After school he could normally be found at home playing pinochle with his friends. As soon as he was old enough he purchased a car which he took great care of and allowed no one else to drive it. Following high school Alan found the New York job
market to be tight and he gave up his job as a truck driver and
joined the US Army so that he could assist his family financially.
By joining the army he felt that he could help support his family and provide a
better life for his siblings.
On 6 Feb
When I arrived at the 281st, I was assigned to the 2nd Platoon as a Door Gunner on #455 with Alan Johnson as my CE. Go Intruders Mike Fellenz
Hardly a day goes by now that I don't think a
Alan Johnson. Alan crewed 455, a great aircraft, that he kept in
immaculate shape. We flew together quite a bit and became friends
despite our rank difference. Alan was an outstanding person that
was loved by all. He was an excellent Door Gunner and Crew
Chief that could always be counted upon to do whatever it took to
get the mission done.
Ron Lesonik and I were the Aircraft Commanders
on an operation that required two aircraft and crews being loaned to
another company north of Nha Trang. We had been there a couple of
days flying missions in the area around Tuy Hoa and the area north
of Qui Nhon when Lesonik's aircraft was shot down by .51 Cal
automatic weapon fire. Everyone on board was lost except Lesonik
and he was injured very badly.
The deaths of Alan Johnson and Frank Kaiser
hit everyone in the unit pretty hard. It was a great loss for all
of us.
In my days with the Bandit Platoon I
probably remember flying with Alan more than any other
crewmember. I'm not sure why I remember him so well, and it
would be easy to say it was due to his professionalism and
attention to detail. However, it is probably because on January
21, 1969 Alan was crewing UH-1H 17360 when we got the call to
rescue a RECONDO team in contact. Approaching the LZ the
aircraft was struck with a full burst of automatic rifle fire,
and two rounds hit the recovery sergeant, SSG Marvin Gies. SP4
Johnson immediately went to his aid, applying more first aid
than I knew in an attempt to save his life, but it was in vain,
and SSG Gies died shortly after we got him to the Nha Trang
hospital. He was as calm and soldierly as I have ever seen
someone react under such circumstances. I subsequently left the
Bandits to go to Wolf Pack but of all the crewmembers from my
old platoon the one I kept in the closest contact with was
Alan. We always seemed to have something to say to each other
whenever we passed on the flight line or in the field during a
Delta deployment. A few of us got medals for that mission, I
got mine 6 months after I DEROS'ed, so I don't know if Alan
ever got his. He deserved it. I miss him and those like him.
The world is a lesser place without him and the 281st was a
better organization because of him. SP5 Alan Johnson's personal information and pictures
were obtained by Lawrence Harris who is in touch with his parents.
A MAN IS NOT DEAD UNTIL HE IS FORGOTTEN |
ONCE AN
INTRUDER....ALWAYS AN INTRUDER
Alan
completed basic training as an infantry rifleman and was sent to
Vietnam, arriving in September of 1968. He was assigned to
the 198th Infantry Brigade where he remained until January of
1969. During combat operations with the 198th he earned the
coveted Combat Infantryman's Badge. In January of 69 he was
transferred to the 281st. Assault Helicopter Company for duty as a
combat aviation door gunner. From January until May of 69
Alan applied himself to the task of becoming a helicopter crew chief and
on 6 May 1969 he was awarded the official designation of Crew Chief.
Alan progressed within the 281st and on 21 November of 1969 was promoted
to the rank of Specialist Fifth Class (E-5). In the 281st he was
awarded the silver wings of a Combat Aviation Crew Member along
with several other awards. However, Alan's most important
achievement was the high level of respect that his peers and superiors
had for him as an individual and for the outstanding manner that he
performed his duties as a combat aviation crew member. Today, Alan
Howard Johnson is remembered for being one of the highest skilled and
respected combat aviation crew chiefs that served in the unit.
ruary
1970 Alan was killed while flying a combat aviation mission in
UH-1H 68-1625 which was lost as a result of hostile action at Binh Dinh,
South Vietnam. Also lost in
the crash were SP5 Frank M. Kaiser, who Allan was training to be a crew chief, and Warrant
Officer Tarry
T. O'Reilly, pilot. Warrant Officer Ron Lesonik, the Air Craft
Commander was severally injured in the crash but survived.
Alan, Frank and Tarry shall not be forgotten.