WILLIAM C. JOHNSON

SP4 William Charles Johnson, Vietnam Veteran, Native of Eden, The City formerly known as Leaksville, NC. Specialist Four William Charles Johnson was a casualty of the Vietnam War. As a member of the Army, SP4 Johnson served our country until May 29th, 1967 in Quang Ngai, South Vietnam. He was 19 years old and was not married. It was reported that William died from small arms fire or grenade. His body was recovered. William was born on January 19th, 1948 in Leaksville, North Carolina. SP4 Johnson is on panel 21E, line 013 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. He served our country for one year. 

May 29th, 2005 will mark the 38th anniversary of your death. I will be at the 101st Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in your honor. You will never be forgotten. I never got the privilege to know you. You sacrificed your life before I was born. I cherish your medals and display your pictures in our home. It hurts me that I never got to know you but when I think of the sacrifice you made I am proud to say I am your sister. I will never forget what you gave up for me and for so many others to have what we have today. I will honor your memory by passing your heroic story on to my daughters so they can do the same with their children. You sacrificed the most precious gift there is..LIFE!! You are my hero. Your Sister, Joann Johnson-Valainis, Joann_Valainis@hotmail.com.

MY HERO: This brave hero is my brother. I was born after he gave his life for this country. Sadly, I never got to meet him. All I have are pictures and his medals. He was a true American and by all means a Hero. Billy, I never got to meet you, but you are always in my heart. I tell my daughters you are our guardian angel. I wish I had the privilege to get to know you and to say thank you for selflessly giving your life for our country. YOU ARE OUR HERO! Joann Johnson-Valainis, Joann_Valainis@hotmail.com
Rockville, MD 20852.

Obituary to accompany the Photo from the Sentinel Newspaper, Montgomery County, Md, dated Thursday, June 15, 1967: ROCKVILLE YOUTH SLAIN IN VIETNAM. Specialist 4, William Charles (Billy) Johnson, who at the age of 12 had caddied for General William C. Westmoreland, has been killed in action in Vietnam.

Johnson 19, was reported killed by "Hostile small arms" in the demilitarized zone overlooking Tiger Valley on May 29. He was the 16th Countian to die in the Vietnamese action.

He enlisted in the Army in April of 1965, over the protests of his father, who wanted him to finish school first. At the time of his death, he was serving with Company B, 327th Airborne Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. His father, William W. Johnson of 12002 Galena Drive, Rockville, served as a Master Sergeant with the 101st in 1959-60. 

Johnson was born January 19th, 1948 in Leaksville, NC. He attended Leaksville Morehead High School, where he was a member of the track team. At the age of ten, Johnson was a junior paratrooper, and was proficient with a rifle by the time he was 12. Johnson, reportedly being recommended for a posthumous decoration, had always wanted a Military Career. He is survived, in addition to his Father, by a brother, Earl B Johnson, and a Grandmother Mrs H.E.Boone of Leaksville, and an Aunt Mrs James Souther of Ridgeway, Virginia. Burial was in Woodlawn/Overlook Cemetery, Spray/Eden, NC.

He served with Bravo Company, 327th Airborne Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne, "Screaming Eagles". He was awarded The Combat Infantryman's Badge(CIB), The Bronze Star Medal, The Purple Heart Medal for his combat related wounds, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/17654674/william-charles-johnson

ADVANTAGES OF JOINING POST #534

·       Mentoring and assisting Morehead High School Army JROTC Cadets

·       Sponsoring and preparing young people to attend NC American Legion Boys/Girls State, Boys/Girls Nation

·       Sponsoring and preparing young people to attend NC American Legion State Trooper Program in Raleigh, NC

·       Annual College or Trade School Scholarships

·       Aids needy military and veteran families; to include homeless veterans

·       Educating local schools and community organizations on U.S. flag respect, procedures and code; leading by example within the community

·       Assisting in community support projects with the Legion Riders

Contact Us

American Legion

William C. Johnson Post 534

302 N. 12th Ave, Mayodan NC 27027

POC: Commander David Bray Cell#336-601-7176 Email leaningforward2021@gmail.com