<p>
"The man who lays his most precious possession, life itself, on the line must have justification. for doing so." To Chuck this justification was his sense of duty and a "sense of worthiness of the gift of love God gave us in a free nation..."</p>
<p>
<em>Charles French "Chuck" Johnson, Jr</em>., lived in West Columbia, South Carolina. After graduation from high school he attended the University of South Carolina for one year while awaiting his much hoped for appointment to West Point by the late Senator Olin D. Johnston. Being in the profession of arms, as was his father, had been his dream since childhood.</p>
<p>
At the Academy he was dedicated to the ranger program and all that it stood for. As a Plebe, he was captain of the Plebe pistol team. He remained a member of the pistol team for four years. In his “Firstie” year he was cadct-in-charge of the Karate club, during which time he attained a first degree Black Belt. As one of his classmates put it, he was “a good man to keep on your side.” He held the rank of Lieutenant in the Corps of Cadets and was also a platoon leader.</p>
<p>
After graduation and a chapel wedding to a kindergarten teacher from West Virginia, Mary Cecil, he reluctantly chose Army Intelligence and Security and was assigned to Fort Holabird, Maryland. There he attended the Military Intelligence Officer Orientation Course and the Intelligence Research Officer Course. He remained there seven months.</p>
<p>
Because of his sense of duty, the realization that prosperity and peace cannot be obtained without sacrifice, that we all must sacrifice at some time in life, and his confidence in his capability to perform well in a tense combat environment, he volunteered to serve in Vietnam. He was assigned to TID 525 MIGP with duty at MACV Team 37 in Phan Thiet, Bien Thuan Province, South Vietnam. There he served as senior intelligence officer until he was felled in an enemy held hamlet by automatic weapons fire in an encounter on 31 January 1968 during the TET offensive. As a result of his actions that day, he was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action, the Purple Heart, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.</p>
<p>
His impact on his associates can best be described by the words of two of his commanding officers during his tour in Vietnam. The first superior related, "a most remarkable young officer. Intelligent, resourceful, and hard working, he was without a doubt the niost promising officer that I have met during my army career, ... Lt. Johnson was extremely well liked and admired by the officers and men of the Advisory Team, as well as the Vietnamese military and civilians with whom he came into contact."</p>
<p>
The second said, "Johnny was a special kind of guy, an outstanding officer, a young vibrant personality who everyone liked and respected, brave and confident...There was nothing about (him) that said a thing couldn't be done...I can only think that if there is a higher purpose in the scheme of things then Johnny has been called on to lead us toward it."</p>
<p>
Chuck had occasionally used the following poem to convey his own feelings of dedication to his chosen profession:</p>
<p>
The stars swing down the western steep,</p>
<p>
And soon the east will burn with day, </p>
<p>
And we shall struggle up from sleep</p>
<p>
And sling our packs and march away.</p>
<p>
In this brief hour before the dawn</p>
<p>
Has struck our bivouac with flame </p>
<p>
I think of men whose brows have borne</p>
<p>
The iron wreath of deadly fame.</p>
<p>
I see the fatal phalanx creep </p>
<p>
Like death, across the world and back, </p>
<p>
With eyes that only strive to keep </p>
<p>
Bucephalus' immortal track.</p>
<p>
I see the legion wheel through Caul,</p>
<p>
The sword and flame on hearth and home,</p>
<p>
And all the men who had to fall </p>
<p>
That Caesar might be first in Rome.</p>
<p>
I see the horde of Genghis Khan</p>
<p>
Spread outward like the dawn of day </p>
<p>
To trample golden Khorassan </p>
<p>
And thunder over fair Cathay.</p>
<p>
I see the grizzled grenadier, </p>
<p>
The dark dragoon, the gay hussar, </p>
<p>
Whose shoulders bore for many a year </p>
<p>
Their little emperor’s blazing star,</p>
<p>
I see these things, still am I slave </p>
<p>
When banners flaunt and bugles blow, </p>
<p>
Content to fill a soldier's grave </p>
<p>
For reasons I shall never know.</p>
<p>
"SOLDIER"</p>
<p>
C.T. Lanham, Captain, Infantry</p>
<p>
He leaves his wife, mother and father, a sister, a brother who is in the Air Force, and a host of friends. We who survive are humbled because our lives have been greatly enriched because of him.<br />
</p>