Harold K. Johnson (1912 - 1983)
Harold Keith Johnson was born in Bowesmont, North Dakota. He was a United States General, who served as United States Army Chief of Staff from 1964 to 1968. After graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1933, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the infantry.
During World War II, while Johnson was a battalion commander in the defense of the Philippines, he was taken prisoner when Bataan Fell. He survived the Bataan Death March and imprisonment in the Philippines, Japan, and Korea, before being liberated by the 7th Infantry Division in 1945. Johnson was later sent to Korea to command the 1st Provisional Infantry Division.
During Johnson's term as Chief of Staff, he was involved in many policy debates regarding the escalation of the Vietnam War and voiced his support of full military mobilization.
Johnson's years of service spanned from 1933 through 1968 and his awards included one Distinguished Service Cross, one Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, one Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters, one Bronze Star, one American Defense Service Medal, one Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, one World War II Victory Medal, one National Defense Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, one Korean Service Medal, one Philippine Defense Medal, one Philippine Liberation Medal, one Sam IL Medal, one United Nations Korea Medal, one Army & Air Force Presidential Citation with two oak leaf clusters, and one Philippines Presidential Unit Citation.
PHOTOS (CLICK A PHOTO TO VIEW)
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This is Brig General Harold K. Johnson inspecting two Junior ROTC cadets, MSG Corry Mordeaux and SFC Charles Peterson. Gen Johnson was the Assistant Commander of the 8th Infantry Division at Ft Carson, Colorado. The year was 1955 at Centennial High School , Pueblo , CO .
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General Harold K. Johnson receiving Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider award, Fargo, N.D.
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Joseph Richards Essig's portrait of General Johnson
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ARMY CHIEFS OF STAFF
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