SFC William Darrell Johnson, Vietnam Veteran, Native of Rocky Mount, NC.
Sergeant First Class William Darrell Johnson was a casualty of the Vietnam War. As a member of the Army, SFC Johnson served our country until February 20th, 1979 in Kontum Province, South Vietnam. He was 32 years old and was not married.It was reported that William died from unknown causes. His body was not recovered. SFC Johnson is on panel 34E, line 077 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. He was declared Missing In Action(MIA), then Killed in Action(KIA), 20 February 1979.
William D. Johnson, Sergeant First Class, Promoted to SFC while in MIA status, Unit: 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, Serial Number: 240744647, Date of Birth: 24-Dec-46, Date of Death: 19-Jan-68, City: Rocky Mount, State: NC. Notes: Staff Sergeant Johnson was a rifleman in the 4th Platoon, Company B, 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. On January 19, 1968, his reinforced company was about 10 miles west of DAK To in Kontum Province, South Vietnam when it was ambushed. As the unit withdrew, he became Missing in Action. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.
Darrell, Thank you for your unselfish Valor. I remember you well from high school, an excellent football player, liked by everyone. Hope one day we can welcome you home also. Ron Moore, 3rd Recon Bn, Delta Co,1967, [email protected].
I was just a kid when Darrell went missing. I have heard his name and story all my life. His story is very important to me. I have lived in Rocky Mount, NC since birth. I went to the wall in Washington D.C. to see his name. I had my picture taken beside it. I keep that picture displayed to this day. Thank you Darrell for your service to this country. Your memory lives today and will live tomorrow. I hope that you are in a better place, and maybe we can sit and talk about Rocky Mount one day. Greg Gay.
In High School, I wore a POW bracelet for "Sgt. W. Darrell Johnson". Through an organization named "VIVA" I was able to contact Darrell's mother. She wrote a very nice letter back to me and included this picture, as well as one of the stripes from one of his uniforms. To this day, almost 30 years later, I have his picture and stripes displayed in my living room. I think of Darrell and pray for him when I see his picture. When the POW's came home, I looked for his name, but to no avail. Years later (Feb 16, 1991) when the traveling Vietnam Wall came to Houston, I visited it and found his name. I just stood there and cried, because I never knew his fate until that time. I tried, again, to contact his mother, but couldn't find her, so my connection was lost until visiting the Virtual Wall. Many thanks to you, Darrell, for daring to protect the rest of us and making the ultimate sacrifice. I will never forget you, and I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Always, Angie Westergren, Houston, TX.
Darrell, you were a hero of mine on the football field of Rocky Mount Senior High. I will not forget your actions there nor will I forget you as I live my life. I pray for you and your family till your mystery is solved. Ben Richardson.
I have worn your bracelet for many years, since your name has been on the Wall, I have retired it to a place of honor in my classroom. My students see your name and they will not forget as neither will I. God bless you and keep you. Proud to have served. Al Nadal, Danang 65',Phan Rang 68' USA-RET.
Although I never met you in life, we were from the same home town. You were my hero and I wore your MIA bracelet proudly all through school. Although at times I was discouraged by others who were into the anti-war movement, I never gave up on you. After graduating from high school in 1974, I too joined the Army and would have fought for my country also. I have thought of you many times throughout the years and have never given up hope for you. Thank you Darrell we'll never forget. William C. Rose.
SERGEANT FIRST CLASS, WILLIAM DARRELL JOHNSON, served as a SQUAD LEADER, with COMPANY ' B ', 4th PLATOON, 3rd BATTALION, 12th INFANTRY REGIMENT, 4th INFANTRY DIVISION. THE LAST TIME ANYONE SAW WILLIAM DARRELL JOHNSON, WAS ON 19 JANUARY 1968, IN THE TRI-BORDER AREA OF LAOS-VIETNAM-CAMBODIA. HE WAS ABOUT 10 MILES WEST OF DAK TO IN KONTUM PROVINCE, SOUTH VIETNAM. HIS COMPANY-SIZE GROUP WAS AMBUSHED BY NORTH VIETNAMESE REGULARS AND NEARLY OVERRUN. DURING THE WITHDRAWAL HIS PLATOON WAS ASSIGNED COVER. WHILE WORKING THEIR WAY BACK TO THEIR FIREBASE JOHNSON, AS THE POINTMAN, WENT INTO A RAVINE TO INVESTIGATE AN ENGLISH-SPEAKING VOICE AND NEVER RETURNED. FIVE OTHER MEMBERS OF HIS PLATOON ALSO DISAPPEARED DURING THIS WITHDRAWAL. A SUBSEQUENT SEARCH OF THE BATTLE AREA TURNED UP THE BODIES
OF THESE OTHER FIVE SOLDIERS BUT NO TRACE OF JOHNSON WAS EVER FOUND AND NOTHING HAS BEEN SEEN OR HEARD OF HIM SINCE THAT DAY AND HE WAS THEREFORE CLASSIFIED AS BEING MISSING IN ACTION. HE WAS NOT AMONG THE 591 AMERICAN PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED IN 1973 ALTHOUGH THERE IS REASON TO BELIEVE THE VIETNAMESE KNOW HIS FATE.
Darrell was a tremendous football and baseball player for Rocky Mount Senior High School, Rocky Mount, NC, in the middle 60's. He played on two state championship football teams and one state championship baseball team. He also attended University of South Carolina to play football.
Darrell was a great athlete, but even more important, he was a fine person. Having served in the infantry in the exact same area of Vietnam as he did at that time, I can understand some of what he went through there. That is why Darrell is my hero and I will always remember him in a special way. If you are lucky you go there and you come home a year later. If you are unlucky, you do not return. It is as simple as that. What a price Darrell had to pay because he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Vietnam was crawling with dangers that reach out and grab you and you have no control over your destiny. It seems very unfair that Darrell is not here with us today, but that is just the way it happens. It happened 58 thousand times and that is a lot of families ripped apart. Darrell Johnson represented the very best that life can offer. He did his duty to his country and paid the ultimate price. I feel he deserves this memorial and we all should never forget him and what he gave for us all. A memorial initiated by a friend and athletic teammate.
Many years have passed since Darrell was taken from us. Having known him in his youth and having been a teammate of his on the local high school baseball team, his death in Vietnam was a personal tragedy to me. I think of him often. We all who knew him must remember what he gave, and always keep his memory alive. In my life since Vietnam, I have had the opportunity to live my life experiencing many great and wondrous things. A wife, a family, a home, a profession - I have seen all the great things that life has to offer. Darrell did not have any of this. His memories ended in the jungle west of Kontum Province that day in January, 1968. A lifetime ago. He will be forever young in our eyes. What happened to Darrell that day was a terrible waste. I am sure he was capable of great things. We will never let your memory die. You are our hero, and all we can offer is our thanks for your gift to all Americans. Days come and go swiftly by, Your memory still brings a tear to our eyes, Stuck in time, your memory will be, Forever with us and we will always see, Your great gift to our nation and above all, A real fine young man, still standing tall. From a friend, James R. Daniels Jr.
On 19 January 1968 PFC Darrell Johnson's platoon was part of a company-size sweep in the tri-border area of Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia about 10 miles west of Dak To in Kontum Province, South Vietnam. The company was ambushed by North Vietnamese regulars and nearly overrun. Johnson's platoon was assigned rear guard during the withdrawal. While working their way back to their firebase, Johnson, as a point man, went into a ravine to investigate an English-speaking voice and never returned. Five other members of his platoon also disappeared during the withdrawal. A subsequent search of the battle area turned up the bodies of five men, but no trace of Johnson was found. Johnson was carried as Missing in Action, and was promoted while in that status, until 20 February 1979, when a Presumptive Finding of Death was approved by the Secretary of the Army. His remains have not been repatriated.
He served with 4th Platoon, Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, USARV.
He was awarded The Combat Infantryman's Badge(CIB), The Purple Heart Medal for his combat related wounds, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal, The National Defense Service Medal and The Good Conduct Medal.
Sergeant First Class William Darrell Johnson was a casualty of the Vietnam War. As a member of the Army, SFC Johnson served our country until February 20th, 1979 in Kontum Province, South Vietnam. He was 32 years old and was not married.It was reported that William died from unknown causes. His body was not recovered. SFC Johnson is on panel 34E, line 077 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. He was declared Missing In Action(MIA), then Killed in Action(KIA), 20 February 1979.
William D. Johnson, Sergeant First Class, Promoted to SFC while in MIA status, Unit: 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, Serial Number: 240744647, Date of Birth: 24-Dec-46, Date of Death: 19-Jan-68, City: Rocky Mount, State: NC. Notes: Staff Sergeant Johnson was a rifleman in the 4th Platoon, Company B, 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. On January 19, 1968, his reinforced company was about 10 miles west of DAK To in Kontum Province, South Vietnam when it was ambushed. As the unit withdrew, he became Missing in Action. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.
Darrell, Thank you for your unselfish Valor. I remember you well from high school, an excellent football player, liked by everyone. Hope one day we can welcome you home also. Ron Moore, 3rd Recon Bn, Delta Co,1967, [email protected].
I was just a kid when Darrell went missing. I have heard his name and story all my life. His story is very important to me. I have lived in Rocky Mount, NC since birth. I went to the wall in Washington D.C. to see his name. I had my picture taken beside it. I keep that picture displayed to this day. Thank you Darrell for your service to this country. Your memory lives today and will live tomorrow. I hope that you are in a better place, and maybe we can sit and talk about Rocky Mount one day. Greg Gay.
In High School, I wore a POW bracelet for "Sgt. W. Darrell Johnson". Through an organization named "VIVA" I was able to contact Darrell's mother. She wrote a very nice letter back to me and included this picture, as well as one of the stripes from one of his uniforms. To this day, almost 30 years later, I have his picture and stripes displayed in my living room. I think of Darrell and pray for him when I see his picture. When the POW's came home, I looked for his name, but to no avail. Years later (Feb 16, 1991) when the traveling Vietnam Wall came to Houston, I visited it and found his name. I just stood there and cried, because I never knew his fate until that time. I tried, again, to contact his mother, but couldn't find her, so my connection was lost until visiting the Virtual Wall. Many thanks to you, Darrell, for daring to protect the rest of us and making the ultimate sacrifice. I will never forget you, and I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Always, Angie Westergren, Houston, TX.
Darrell, you were a hero of mine on the football field of Rocky Mount Senior High. I will not forget your actions there nor will I forget you as I live my life. I pray for you and your family till your mystery is solved. Ben Richardson.
I have worn your bracelet for many years, since your name has been on the Wall, I have retired it to a place of honor in my classroom. My students see your name and they will not forget as neither will I. God bless you and keep you. Proud to have served. Al Nadal, Danang 65',Phan Rang 68' USA-RET.
Although I never met you in life, we were from the same home town. You were my hero and I wore your MIA bracelet proudly all through school. Although at times I was discouraged by others who were into the anti-war movement, I never gave up on you. After graduating from high school in 1974, I too joined the Army and would have fought for my country also. I have thought of you many times throughout the years and have never given up hope for you. Thank you Darrell we'll never forget. William C. Rose.
SERGEANT FIRST CLASS, WILLIAM DARRELL JOHNSON, served as a SQUAD LEADER, with COMPANY ' B ', 4th PLATOON, 3rd BATTALION, 12th INFANTRY REGIMENT, 4th INFANTRY DIVISION. THE LAST TIME ANYONE SAW WILLIAM DARRELL JOHNSON, WAS ON 19 JANUARY 1968, IN THE TRI-BORDER AREA OF LAOS-VIETNAM-CAMBODIA. HE WAS ABOUT 10 MILES WEST OF DAK TO IN KONTUM PROVINCE, SOUTH VIETNAM. HIS COMPANY-SIZE GROUP WAS AMBUSHED BY NORTH VIETNAMESE REGULARS AND NEARLY OVERRUN. DURING THE WITHDRAWAL HIS PLATOON WAS ASSIGNED COVER. WHILE WORKING THEIR WAY BACK TO THEIR FIREBASE JOHNSON, AS THE POINTMAN, WENT INTO A RAVINE TO INVESTIGATE AN ENGLISH-SPEAKING VOICE AND NEVER RETURNED. FIVE OTHER MEMBERS OF HIS PLATOON ALSO DISAPPEARED DURING THIS WITHDRAWAL. A SUBSEQUENT SEARCH OF THE BATTLE AREA TURNED UP THE BODIES
OF THESE OTHER FIVE SOLDIERS BUT NO TRACE OF JOHNSON WAS EVER FOUND AND NOTHING HAS BEEN SEEN OR HEARD OF HIM SINCE THAT DAY AND HE WAS THEREFORE CLASSIFIED AS BEING MISSING IN ACTION. HE WAS NOT AMONG THE 591 AMERICAN PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED IN 1973 ALTHOUGH THERE IS REASON TO BELIEVE THE VIETNAMESE KNOW HIS FATE.
Darrell was a tremendous football and baseball player for Rocky Mount Senior High School, Rocky Mount, NC, in the middle 60's. He played on two state championship football teams and one state championship baseball team. He also attended University of South Carolina to play football.
Darrell was a great athlete, but even more important, he was a fine person. Having served in the infantry in the exact same area of Vietnam as he did at that time, I can understand some of what he went through there. That is why Darrell is my hero and I will always remember him in a special way. If you are lucky you go there and you come home a year later. If you are unlucky, you do not return. It is as simple as that. What a price Darrell had to pay because he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Vietnam was crawling with dangers that reach out and grab you and you have no control over your destiny. It seems very unfair that Darrell is not here with us today, but that is just the way it happens. It happened 58 thousand times and that is a lot of families ripped apart. Darrell Johnson represented the very best that life can offer. He did his duty to his country and paid the ultimate price. I feel he deserves this memorial and we all should never forget him and what he gave for us all. A memorial initiated by a friend and athletic teammate.
Many years have passed since Darrell was taken from us. Having known him in his youth and having been a teammate of his on the local high school baseball team, his death in Vietnam was a personal tragedy to me. I think of him often. We all who knew him must remember what he gave, and always keep his memory alive. In my life since Vietnam, I have had the opportunity to live my life experiencing many great and wondrous things. A wife, a family, a home, a profession - I have seen all the great things that life has to offer. Darrell did not have any of this. His memories ended in the jungle west of Kontum Province that day in January, 1968. A lifetime ago. He will be forever young in our eyes. What happened to Darrell that day was a terrible waste. I am sure he was capable of great things. We will never let your memory die. You are our hero, and all we can offer is our thanks for your gift to all Americans. Days come and go swiftly by, Your memory still brings a tear to our eyes, Stuck in time, your memory will be, Forever with us and we will always see, Your great gift to our nation and above all, A real fine young man, still standing tall. From a friend, James R. Daniels Jr.
On 19 January 1968 PFC Darrell Johnson's platoon was part of a company-size sweep in the tri-border area of Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia about 10 miles west of Dak To in Kontum Province, South Vietnam. The company was ambushed by North Vietnamese regulars and nearly overrun. Johnson's platoon was assigned rear guard during the withdrawal. While working their way back to their firebase, Johnson, as a point man, went into a ravine to investigate an English-speaking voice and never returned. Five other members of his platoon also disappeared during the withdrawal. A subsequent search of the battle area turned up the bodies of five men, but no trace of Johnson was found. Johnson was carried as Missing in Action, and was promoted while in that status, until 20 February 1979, when a Presumptive Finding of Death was approved by the Secretary of the Army. His remains have not been repatriated.
He served with 4th Platoon, Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, USARV.
He was awarded The Combat Infantryman's Badge(CIB), The Purple Heart Medal for his combat related wounds, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal, The National Defense Service Medal and The Good Conduct Medal.
SFC William Darrell Johnson, Vietnam Veteran, Native of Rocky Mount, NC.
Sergeant First Class William Darrell Johnson was a casualty of the Vietnam War. As a member of the Army, SFC Johnson served our country until February 20th, 1979 in Kontum Province, South Vietnam. He was 32 years old and was not married.It was reported that William died from unknown causes. His body was not recovered. SFC Johnson is on panel 34E, line 077 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. He was declared Missing In Action(MIA), then Killed in Action(KIA), 20 February 1979.
William D. Johnson, Sergeant First Class, Promoted to SFC while in MIA status, Unit: 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, Serial Number: 240744647, Date of Birth: 24-Dec-46, Date of Death: 19-Jan-68, City: Rocky Mount, State: NC. Notes: Staff Sergeant Johnson was a rifleman in the 4th Platoon, Company B, 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. On January 19, 1968, his reinforced company was about 10 miles west of DAK To in Kontum Province, South Vietnam when it was ambushed. As the unit withdrew, he became Missing in Action. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.
Darrell, Thank you for your unselfish Valor. I remember you well from high school, an excellent football player, liked by everyone. Hope one day we can welcome you home also. Ron Moore, 3rd Recon Bn, Delta Co,1967, [email protected].
I was just a kid when Darrell went missing. I have heard his name and story all my life. His story is very important to me. I have lived in Rocky Mount, NC since birth. I went to the wall in Washington D.C. to see his name. I had my picture taken beside it. I keep that picture displayed to this day. Thank you Darrell for your service to this country. Your memory lives today and will live tomorrow. I hope that you are in a better place, and maybe we can sit and talk about Rocky Mount one day. Greg Gay.
In High School, I wore a POW bracelet for "Sgt. W. Darrell Johnson". Through an organization named "VIVA" I was able to contact Darrell's mother. She wrote a very nice letter back to me and included this picture, as well as one of the stripes from one of his uniforms. To this day, almost 30 years later, I have his picture and stripes displayed in my living room. I think of Darrell and pray for him when I see his picture. When the POW's came home, I looked for his name, but to no avail. Years later (Feb 16, 1991) when the traveling Vietnam Wall came to Houston, I visited it and found his name. I just stood there and cried, because I never knew his fate until that time. I tried, again, to contact his mother, but couldn't find her, so my connection was lost until visiting the Virtual Wall. Many thanks to you, Darrell, for daring to protect the rest of us and making the ultimate sacrifice. I will never forget you, and I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Always, Angie Westergren, Houston, TX.
Darrell, you were a hero of mine on the football field of Rocky Mount Senior High. I will not forget your actions there nor will I forget you as I live my life. I pray for you and your family till your mystery is solved. Ben Richardson.
I have worn your bracelet for many years, since your name has been on the Wall, I have retired it to a place of honor in my classroom. My students see your name and they will not forget as neither will I. God bless you and keep you. Proud to have served. Al Nadal, Danang 65',Phan Rang 68' USA-RET.
Although I never met you in life, we were from the same home town. You were my hero and I wore your MIA bracelet proudly all through school. Although at times I was discouraged by others who were into the anti-war movement, I never gave up on you. After graduating from high school in 1974, I too joined the Army and would have fought for my country also. I have thought of you many times throughout the years and have never given up hope for you. Thank you Darrell we'll never forget. William C. Rose.
SERGEANT FIRST CLASS, WILLIAM DARRELL JOHNSON, served as a SQUAD LEADER, with COMPANY ' B ', 4th PLATOON, 3rd BATTALION, 12th INFANTRY REGIMENT, 4th INFANTRY DIVISION. THE LAST TIME ANYONE SAW WILLIAM DARRELL JOHNSON, WAS ON 19 JANUARY 1968, IN THE TRI-BORDER AREA OF LAOS-VIETNAM-CAMBODIA. HE WAS ABOUT 10 MILES WEST OF DAK TO IN KONTUM PROVINCE, SOUTH VIETNAM. HIS COMPANY-SIZE GROUP WAS AMBUSHED BY NORTH VIETNAMESE REGULARS AND NEARLY OVERRUN. DURING THE WITHDRAWAL HIS PLATOON WAS ASSIGNED COVER. WHILE WORKING THEIR WAY BACK TO THEIR FIREBASE JOHNSON, AS THE POINTMAN, WENT INTO A RAVINE TO INVESTIGATE AN ENGLISH-SPEAKING VOICE AND NEVER RETURNED. FIVE OTHER MEMBERS OF HIS PLATOON ALSO DISAPPEARED DURING THIS WITHDRAWAL. A SUBSEQUENT SEARCH OF THE BATTLE AREA TURNED UP THE BODIES
OF THESE OTHER FIVE SOLDIERS BUT NO TRACE OF JOHNSON WAS EVER FOUND AND NOTHING HAS BEEN SEEN OR HEARD OF HIM SINCE THAT DAY AND HE WAS THEREFORE CLASSIFIED AS BEING MISSING IN ACTION. HE WAS NOT AMONG THE 591 AMERICAN PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED IN 1973 ALTHOUGH THERE IS REASON TO BELIEVE THE VIETNAMESE KNOW HIS FATE.
Darrell was a tremendous football and baseball player for Rocky Mount Senior High School, Rocky Mount, NC, in the middle 60's. He played on two state championship football teams and one state championship baseball team. He also attended University of South Carolina to play football.
Darrell was a great athlete, but even more important, he was a fine person. Having served in the infantry in the exact same area of Vietnam as he did at that time, I can understand some of what he went through there. That is why Darrell is my hero and I will always remember him in a special way. If you are lucky you go there and you come home a year later. If you are unlucky, you do not return. It is as simple as that. What a price Darrell had to pay because he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Vietnam was crawling with dangers that reach out and grab you and you have no control over your destiny. It seems very unfair that Darrell is not here with us today, but that is just the way it happens. It happened 58 thousand times and that is a lot of families ripped apart. Darrell Johnson represented the very best that life can offer. He did his duty to his country and paid the ultimate price. I feel he deserves this memorial and we all should never forget him and what he gave for us all. A memorial initiated by a friend and athletic teammate.
Many years have passed since Darrell was taken from us. Having known him in his youth and having been a teammate of his on the local high school baseball team, his death in Vietnam was a personal tragedy to me. I think of him often. We all who knew him must remember what he gave, and always keep his memory alive. In my life since Vietnam, I have had the opportunity to live my life experiencing many great and wondrous things. A wife, a family, a home, a profession - I have seen all the great things that life has to offer. Darrell did not have any of this. His memories ended in the jungle west of Kontum Province that day in January, 1968. A lifetime ago. He will be forever young in our eyes. What happened to Darrell that day was a terrible waste. I am sure he was capable of great things. We will never let your memory die. You are our hero, and all we can offer is our thanks for your gift to all Americans. Days come and go swiftly by, Your memory still brings a tear to our eyes, Stuck in time, your memory will be, Forever with us and we will always see, Your great gift to our nation and above all, A real fine young man, still standing tall. From a friend, James R. Daniels Jr.
On 19 January 1968 PFC Darrell Johnson's platoon was part of a company-size sweep in the tri-border area of Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia about 10 miles west of Dak To in Kontum Province, South Vietnam. The company was ambushed by North Vietnamese regulars and nearly overrun. Johnson's platoon was assigned rear guard during the withdrawal. While working their way back to their firebase, Johnson, as a point man, went into a ravine to investigate an English-speaking voice and never returned. Five other members of his platoon also disappeared during the withdrawal. A subsequent search of the battle area turned up the bodies of five men, but no trace of Johnson was found. Johnson was carried as Missing in Action, and was promoted while in that status, until 20 February 1979, when a Presumptive Finding of Death was approved by the Secretary of the Army. His remains have not been repatriated.
He served with 4th Platoon, Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, USARV.
He was awarded The Combat Infantryman's Badge(CIB), The Purple Heart Medal for his combat related wounds, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal, The National Defense Service Medal and The Good Conduct Medal.
Sergeant First Class William Darrell Johnson was a casualty of the Vietnam War. As a member of the Army, SFC Johnson served our country until February 20th, 1979 in Kontum Province, South Vietnam. He was 32 years old and was not married.It was reported that William died from unknown causes. His body was not recovered. SFC Johnson is on panel 34E, line 077 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. He was declared Missing In Action(MIA), then Killed in Action(KIA), 20 February 1979.
William D. Johnson, Sergeant First Class, Promoted to SFC while in MIA status, Unit: 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, Serial Number: 240744647, Date of Birth: 24-Dec-46, Date of Death: 19-Jan-68, City: Rocky Mount, State: NC. Notes: Staff Sergeant Johnson was a rifleman in the 4th Platoon, Company B, 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. On January 19, 1968, his reinforced company was about 10 miles west of DAK To in Kontum Province, South Vietnam when it was ambushed. As the unit withdrew, he became Missing in Action. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.
Darrell, Thank you for your unselfish Valor. I remember you well from high school, an excellent football player, liked by everyone. Hope one day we can welcome you home also. Ron Moore, 3rd Recon Bn, Delta Co,1967, [email protected].
I was just a kid when Darrell went missing. I have heard his name and story all my life. His story is very important to me. I have lived in Rocky Mount, NC since birth. I went to the wall in Washington D.C. to see his name. I had my picture taken beside it. I keep that picture displayed to this day. Thank you Darrell for your service to this country. Your memory lives today and will live tomorrow. I hope that you are in a better place, and maybe we can sit and talk about Rocky Mount one day. Greg Gay.
In High School, I wore a POW bracelet for "Sgt. W. Darrell Johnson". Through an organization named "VIVA" I was able to contact Darrell's mother. She wrote a very nice letter back to me and included this picture, as well as one of the stripes from one of his uniforms. To this day, almost 30 years later, I have his picture and stripes displayed in my living room. I think of Darrell and pray for him when I see his picture. When the POW's came home, I looked for his name, but to no avail. Years later (Feb 16, 1991) when the traveling Vietnam Wall came to Houston, I visited it and found his name. I just stood there and cried, because I never knew his fate until that time. I tried, again, to contact his mother, but couldn't find her, so my connection was lost until visiting the Virtual Wall. Many thanks to you, Darrell, for daring to protect the rest of us and making the ultimate sacrifice. I will never forget you, and I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Always, Angie Westergren, Houston, TX.
Darrell, you were a hero of mine on the football field of Rocky Mount Senior High. I will not forget your actions there nor will I forget you as I live my life. I pray for you and your family till your mystery is solved. Ben Richardson.
I have worn your bracelet for many years, since your name has been on the Wall, I have retired it to a place of honor in my classroom. My students see your name and they will not forget as neither will I. God bless you and keep you. Proud to have served. Al Nadal, Danang 65',Phan Rang 68' USA-RET.
Although I never met you in life, we were from the same home town. You were my hero and I wore your MIA bracelet proudly all through school. Although at times I was discouraged by others who were into the anti-war movement, I never gave up on you. After graduating from high school in 1974, I too joined the Army and would have fought for my country also. I have thought of you many times throughout the years and have never given up hope for you. Thank you Darrell we'll never forget. William C. Rose.
SERGEANT FIRST CLASS, WILLIAM DARRELL JOHNSON, served as a SQUAD LEADER, with COMPANY ' B ', 4th PLATOON, 3rd BATTALION, 12th INFANTRY REGIMENT, 4th INFANTRY DIVISION. THE LAST TIME ANYONE SAW WILLIAM DARRELL JOHNSON, WAS ON 19 JANUARY 1968, IN THE TRI-BORDER AREA OF LAOS-VIETNAM-CAMBODIA. HE WAS ABOUT 10 MILES WEST OF DAK TO IN KONTUM PROVINCE, SOUTH VIETNAM. HIS COMPANY-SIZE GROUP WAS AMBUSHED BY NORTH VIETNAMESE REGULARS AND NEARLY OVERRUN. DURING THE WITHDRAWAL HIS PLATOON WAS ASSIGNED COVER. WHILE WORKING THEIR WAY BACK TO THEIR FIREBASE JOHNSON, AS THE POINTMAN, WENT INTO A RAVINE TO INVESTIGATE AN ENGLISH-SPEAKING VOICE AND NEVER RETURNED. FIVE OTHER MEMBERS OF HIS PLATOON ALSO DISAPPEARED DURING THIS WITHDRAWAL. A SUBSEQUENT SEARCH OF THE BATTLE AREA TURNED UP THE BODIES
OF THESE OTHER FIVE SOLDIERS BUT NO TRACE OF JOHNSON WAS EVER FOUND AND NOTHING HAS BEEN SEEN OR HEARD OF HIM SINCE THAT DAY AND HE WAS THEREFORE CLASSIFIED AS BEING MISSING IN ACTION. HE WAS NOT AMONG THE 591 AMERICAN PRISONERS OF WAR RELEASED IN 1973 ALTHOUGH THERE IS REASON TO BELIEVE THE VIETNAMESE KNOW HIS FATE.
Darrell was a tremendous football and baseball player for Rocky Mount Senior High School, Rocky Mount, NC, in the middle 60's. He played on two state championship football teams and one state championship baseball team. He also attended University of South Carolina to play football.
Darrell was a great athlete, but even more important, he was a fine person. Having served in the infantry in the exact same area of Vietnam as he did at that time, I can understand some of what he went through there. That is why Darrell is my hero and I will always remember him in a special way. If you are lucky you go there and you come home a year later. If you are unlucky, you do not return. It is as simple as that. What a price Darrell had to pay because he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Vietnam was crawling with dangers that reach out and grab you and you have no control over your destiny. It seems very unfair that Darrell is not here with us today, but that is just the way it happens. It happened 58 thousand times and that is a lot of families ripped apart. Darrell Johnson represented the very best that life can offer. He did his duty to his country and paid the ultimate price. I feel he deserves this memorial and we all should never forget him and what he gave for us all. A memorial initiated by a friend and athletic teammate.
Many years have passed since Darrell was taken from us. Having known him in his youth and having been a teammate of his on the local high school baseball team, his death in Vietnam was a personal tragedy to me. I think of him often. We all who knew him must remember what he gave, and always keep his memory alive. In my life since Vietnam, I have had the opportunity to live my life experiencing many great and wondrous things. A wife, a family, a home, a profession - I have seen all the great things that life has to offer. Darrell did not have any of this. His memories ended in the jungle west of Kontum Province that day in January, 1968. A lifetime ago. He will be forever young in our eyes. What happened to Darrell that day was a terrible waste. I am sure he was capable of great things. We will never let your memory die. You are our hero, and all we can offer is our thanks for your gift to all Americans. Days come and go swiftly by, Your memory still brings a tear to our eyes, Stuck in time, your memory will be, Forever with us and we will always see, Your great gift to our nation and above all, A real fine young man, still standing tall. From a friend, James R. Daniels Jr.
On 19 January 1968 PFC Darrell Johnson's platoon was part of a company-size sweep in the tri-border area of Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia about 10 miles west of Dak To in Kontum Province, South Vietnam. The company was ambushed by North Vietnamese regulars and nearly overrun. Johnson's platoon was assigned rear guard during the withdrawal. While working their way back to their firebase, Johnson, as a point man, went into a ravine to investigate an English-speaking voice and never returned. Five other members of his platoon also disappeared during the withdrawal. A subsequent search of the battle area turned up the bodies of five men, but no trace of Johnson was found. Johnson was carried as Missing in Action, and was promoted while in that status, until 20 February 1979, when a Presumptive Finding of Death was approved by the Secretary of the Army. His remains have not been repatriated.
He served with 4th Platoon, Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, USARV.
He was awarded The Combat Infantryman's Badge(CIB), The Purple Heart Medal for his combat related wounds, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal, The National Defense Service Medal and The Good Conduct Medal.
Gravesite Details
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