| From Ozarks First ozarksfirst.com
01/26/12:
Evangel Remembers Fallen Graduate; Family Issues Statement
By: KOLR10 Newsroom
Updated: January 26, 2012
(Springfield, MO) -- Evangel University is remembering a fallen hero.
Former student, 1st Lt. David Johnson, 24, was killed in Afghanistan following a deployment last month.
According to the Department of Defense, he died Wednesday in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered after encountering an improvised explosive device (IED) while conducting a dismounted patrol.
1st Lt. Johnson was a platoon leader assigned to 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washingon.
On Thursday, students and staff gathered for a chapel service in his honor Thursday morning, and the flag was lowered outside Riggs Hall.
During his time in college, First Lt. David Johnson was a leader in the ROTC program and was "Bear Battalion" commander during his senior year.
The 24-year old was from Mayville, Wisconsin and graduated from Evangel University in 2010.
The University said a more substantive memorial service for Johnson is being planned, the date and details for which will be announced later.
Johnson's parents, Andrew and Laura Johnson, and their children Michael, Matthew and Emily, released this statement Thursday afternoon:
"We are very proud of our son. He is a hero. He first was a man of God. He has been a strong leader at Mayville High School, at Evangel University and to the men in his unit. David had no fear of adversity; he lived life to the fullest. There are no regrets. He is an American hero. We love him very much and miss him very much."
Part of a letter from Lt. Col. (Ret) Kirby A. Hanson, who was David's ROTC Commander in Springfield.
"David was an outstanding cadet in every aspect of military training...He was destined to serve in the Infantry and I was certain he would excel...Aside from the Army life, David was a kind, well mannered, fun young man."
News Release from Evangel:
The Evangel University family is sad to announce the loss of a 2010 graduate, First Lt. David Johnson, killed in action earlier today in Afghanistan.
"Our entire community joins David's family in mourning the loss of this outstanding young man who distinguished himself as a student and as a campus leader," said President Robert H. Spence.
"David was a leader in the ROTC program, which Evangel shares with MissouriStateUniversity, serving as the commander of the Bear Battalion during his senior year," Spence added.
Last fall, Johnson had been given command of an infantry platoon in the 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 2nd Infantry Division. The 2ID is the "Indianhead Division," which is based at Ft. Lewis, Wash.
He was deployed on Dec. 14, 2011.
"David was a well-respected leader among our students, and he was highly regarded by his peers in the ROTC," said John Plake, campus pastor at Evangel.
"He also served as an assistant director of our CROSSwalk campus ministries, in a role that helped many students find ways to serve others in our community, in the love of Christ," said Plake.
Last campus visit was Veteran's Day
Johnson was most recently in Springfield when he appeared as a special guest during the Veteran's Day chapel service at EvangelUniversity on Friday, Nov. 11, 2011.
During that special chapel service, Evangel's Campus Pastor John Plake remarked, "It is good to remind ourselves that the freedom we enjoy isn't free. It has cost many families a great deal--and it has cost some everything. Our veterans, reservists, active duty military personnel and military families deserve our thanks.'
At a later time, we will be arranging for a more substantive memorial service for David, which we will coordinate with his family. Meanwhile, please remember the Johnson family in your prayers as they grieve, travel, and make funeral arrangements for their fallen son and brother. When funeral arrangements are made public, we will communicate them to you directly.
Joint Base Lewis-McChord releases additional information about 3-2 Stryker Brigade Soldier
According to the Dept. of Defense, 1st Lt. David A. Johnson, 24, of Horicon, Wis., died Jan. 25, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered after encountering an improvised explosive device (IED) while conducting a dismounted patrol. 1st Lt. Johnson was a platoon leader assigned to 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
According to unit records, Johnson was commissioned in 2010 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), and he is a graduate of Evangel University, Springfield, Mo. In 2011 he attended the Infantry Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Benning, Ga. He arrived at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in August 2011, and was assigned to 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team. The unit deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in December. This was 1st Lt. Johnson's first deployment.
Johnson's civilian and military education includes a Bachelor of Science degree from Evangel University (2010), Infantry Basic Officer Leadership Course (2011), Combatives level 1 and 2 (2011), and the Stryker Brigade Combat Team Leaders Course (2011).
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge and the Overseas Service Bar.
On behalf of the entire Joint Base Lewis-McChord military and civilian community, we extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of 1st Lt. Johnson. |
| From Post Crescent postcresent.com
01/27/12:
Mayville mourns fallen soldier, U.S. Army 1st Lt. David Johnson, killed in Afghanistan
11:32 AM, Jan. 27, 2012
MAYVILLE ? A family and a community are mourning the death of a soldier killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan. U.S. Army 1st Lt. David Johnson, 24, of Mayville was killed on Wednesday.
The U.S. Department of Defense reported that Johnson died in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered after encountering an improvised explosive device while conducting a dismounted (foot) patrol.
Johnson was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., accordind to the DOD.
David Johnson is the son of Andrew and Laura Johnson and older brother to siblings Michael, Matthew and Emily.
His father is publisher of the Dodge County Pionier ? a combination of The Mayville News, Lomira News Edition and The Horicon Reporter as well as the Campbellsport News.
Andrew and Laura Johnson received word of David?s death at about 6 p.m. Wednesday.
They traveled to Dover Air Force base in Delaware where his body was to arrive Thursday night.
Family statement
The Johnsons released the following statement:
?We are very proud of our son. He is a hero. He first was a man of God. He has been a strong leader at Mayville High School, at Evangel University and to the men in his unit. David had no fear of adversi
ty; he lived life to the fullest. There are no regrets. He is an American hero. We love him very much and miss him very much.?
David Johnson was deployed just over a month ago, on Dec. 14.
?David was an outstanding cadet in every aspect of military training,? said Lt. Col. (Ret.) Kirby Hanson, David Johnson?s ROTC commander. ?He was destined to serve in the infantry, and I was certain he would excel. Aside from the Army life, David was a kind, well-mannered, fun young man.?
David Johnson visited Evangel University in Springfield, Mo., his college alma mater, in November 2011 for a special Veterans Day service.
He graduated from the school in 2010 and his brother Michael is a student there.
Campus Pastor John Plake said Johnson was a well-respected student leader who served as a commander in the school?s ROTC program. |
