Circumstances of Death:

2nd LT Richard S. Johnson, 23, died on March 26, 1967 in Quang Ngai, South Vietnam. He was killed by sniper fire while leading a reconnaissance patrol near the demilitarized zone.

He is honored at the Vietnam War Memorial, Panel 17E, Row 052, in Washington, D.C.

Awards:

National Defense Service Medal 03 Jun 1966

Vietnam Service Medal with star 12 Feb1967

Vietnam Campaign Medal with device 26 Mar 1967

History of Service:

Sept 1962 - June 1966
University of North Carolina

Richard Johnson was a Morehead Scholar and outstanding student during his four years at UNC. He was a member of the student legislature, a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity and of the Semper Fidelis Society, a Marine honorary organization. In his senior year, he served as battalion commander of the NROTC unit and was President of Scabbard and Blade. He also headed a campus-wide blood drive at UNC for troops in Vietnam. He won the Sons of the American Revolution Medal for his outstanding leadership and the Marine Corps Association Award for being the outstanding Marine officer candidate during his summer training at Quantico, VA. Captain Rex Warner, his commanding officer at the NROTC unit, described Richard Johnson as "a young man of high moral character and marked capacity for organization and an unusual ability to arrive at sound, logical decisions."

16 Jun 1966 - 23 Nov 1966

TBS, MSC Quantico, VA

The Basic School

Top graduate in officer basic training at TBS.

12 Feb 1967 - 26 Mar 1967

Platoon Commander

CoD, 1st ReconBn, 1st MarDiv

Combat History:
13 Feb 1967 - 26 Mar 1967: Participated in operations against insurgent Communist forces (Viet Cong) in Chu Lai area Republic of Vietnam.

Family History:

2nd LT Richard Johnson's great-grandfather, General W.A. Johnson, served with the 4th Alabama Calvary during the Civil War and his great-grand-uncle, General Albert Sidney Johnson, was in command of Rebel forces at Shiloh, where he was mortally wounded. His father, Colonel Richard S. Johnson, was regimental commander of replacement troop training at Camp Lejeune and a veteran of Guadalcanal in World War II.

If you have additional information or material (anecdotes, photos, etc.) about this alumnus, please contact our secretary.