Johnson, Joe Edward
Army Sergeant

Joe Edward Johnson, age 24, from Tuscumbia, Alabama, Colbert county.

Service era: Vietnam
Military history: 35th Infantry Regiment

Date of death: Sunday, July 3, 1966
Death details: Bronze Star citation: For heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force. Sergeant Johnson distinguished himself by heroic actions on 3 July 1966 in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Sergeant Johnson was serving as fore team leader in the 3rd Platoon, B, 1/35th Infantry, which was conducting a search and destroy mission. His unit was ambushed and came under heavy fire from at least a reinforced company of the NVA and was surrounded. Sergeant Johnson immediately had his fire team return fire on the enemy and take up the best firing positions possible. He directed the actions of his men in a clam and courageous manner; pointing out enemy targets for his fire team and leading them forward to better positions. Observing one of his men wounded and realizing that the aid man had been killed, Sergeant Johnson willingly exposed himself to the intense enemy fire to give first aid to the wounded man. While performing this unselfish and courageous act, Sergeant Johnson lost his life to enemy small arms fire. This outstanding display of aggressiveness, devotion to duty, and personal bravery is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Cemetery: Oakwood, Tuscumbia

Source: National Archives, 35th Infantry Regiment Association