DOB/DOD: June 5, 1933 (Texas) – March 10, 1967; 33 years old
RELIGION: Baptist
MARITAL STATUS: Married to Joyce Elaine Gill (1941-)
CHILDREN: One daughter, Irenée (1966-).
COLLEGE: Graduated from Bishop College in Texas in 1961. Received a Bachelor’s in Divinity from Golden Gate Baptist Seminary in 1965.
SERVICE NUMBER: O-2324354
ENLISTMENT: Entered the service in February 1952 and discharged in December 1957. He enlisted again on January 5, 1966.
MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: 5310, Chaplain
TOUR START DATE: September 15, 1966
CASUALTY LOCATION: 2 miles North of Phan Rang, Ninh Thuận Province, South Vietnam
UNIT: Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division
ON THE WALL: Panel 16E, Line 53
FAMILY: Born to Anderson (1881-1958) and Neval Burkshire Johnson (1895-1967) [died 4 months after Captain Johnson]. Six sisters, Lucille V. (1917-2003), Reba L. (1919-1998), Estelle (1922-2001), Rozella (1922-?), Thelma (1930-1995), and Ula (1931-?). Eight brothers, Ezekiel “Zeke” (1917-1984), McKinley Sr. (1918-1990), John M. (1921-1957), Anderson Jr. (1924-2011), Walter (1928-), Ottie Lee (1930-2012), Johnny B. (1936-), and Walter Lee (1939-).
DECORATIONS: Awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Merit.
CIRCUMSTANCES: On March 10, 1967, a U.S. Navy VC-47J / DC-3 (#99844) from Tan Son Nhut Air Base Detachment, Naval Support Activity (NAVSUPACT) Saigon, USNAVFORV, suffered a wing failure and crashed into a hillside near Phan Rang while on an administrative Navy flight between Cam Ranh Air Base and Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Saigon, RVN. There were no survivors.
From the 4th Infantry Division newspaper “Ivy Leaf” Volume I No. 24, April 21, 1967
MEMORIAL SERVICE CONDUCTED FOR 3/12TH CHAPLAIN
LE THANH – A memorial service was held recently for Chaplain (Captain) James J.L. Johnson (San Francisco) of Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade, who was killed in a plane crash last month. Chaplain (Major) Paschal M. Jackson (Tacoma, Washington), 1st Brigade chaplain, conducted the service. Chaplain Johnson, who has been recommended for a posthumous Bronze Star Medal, was returning from a religious retreat in Seoul when the plane he was riding crashed and burned, killing 25 people. He joined the division last April at Fort Lewis, Washington, arrived overseas with the 1st Brigade in October, and was serving as chaplain of the 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry. Chaplain Johnson is survived by his wife, Joyce, and a one-year-old daughter, Irenée.
From the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces on March 29, 2021
Chaplain James J. L. Johnson, National Baptist, was a 33-year-old native of Marlin, Texas, who entered the Army in 1965 and joined the 4th Infantry Division in Vietnam one year later. He attended a religious retreat at Cam Ranh Bay in early 1967 and boarded a C-47 aircraft on March 10th to return to his unit. The plane crashed and burned for reasons still unknown. The crew and all passengers, including Chaplain Johnson, were killed.
Chaplain Johnson first joined the military after finishing high school in Texas. He served his country on active duty and active Reserve from 1954 to 1957. After Basic Training at Fort Bliss, TX, Chaplain Johnson served as a Cannoneer at Fort Winfield Scott, CA, and a Personnel Administration Clerk at Fort MacArthur, CA.
In 1961, he received a B.A. degree in Religion and Philosophy from Bishop College (Dallas, TX). Four years later, in 1965, he received a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Golden State Baptist Theological Seminary (Mill Valley, CA).
After being ordained by the National Baptist Convention in 1966, Chaplain Johnson entered the Army Chaplaincy. He was attached to the Chaplain Officer Basic Course at Fort Hamilton. NY, and was assigned to HHC 1st Brigade, Fourth Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, WA.
Chaplain Johnson deployed with his unit to the Republic of Vietnam on September 15, 1966, where he served until his fatal crash six months later. He is buried at Ft Sam Houston, National Cemetery in San Antonio, TX. He is remembered on the Wall of Faces at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC.
Chaplain Johnson was honored with many awards for his service, including: the National Defense Service Medal, Markman (Carbine) 2nd Class AAA Bar, Vietnam Service Medal, Bronze Star (posthumously) “for meritorious service in connection with military operations against a hostile force,” and the National Order of Vietnam, Fifth Class, and the Gallantry Cross with Palm.
Listed on the Vietnam Memorial in San Francisco, California
Buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, Texas; Section Z, Site 183.
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