WHAT'S IN A NAME -- Dwight H. Johnson

By Fort Knox PAOJune 27, 2019

WHAT'S IN A NAME — Dwight H. Johnson
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WHAT'S IN A NAME — Dwight H. Johnson
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(Editor's Note: This and subsequent articles are monthly features reflecting on the namesakes of memorialized facilities at Fort Knox.)

The 400 block housing area, known as Johnson Neighborhood, is memorialized after Specialist Five Dwight H. Johnson.

Johnson, a tank driver, was stationed at Fort Knox from 1966 to 1967 before serving in the Republic of Vietnam from 1967 to 1968.

He received the Medal of Honor Nov. 19, 1968 for his actions in Vietnam Jan. 15, 1968. Johnson was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 69th Armored Regiment, where upon reaching enemy fire, his tank became immobilized. He then climbed out of the tank and began firing with personal weapons, killing several enemy soldiers. Once out of ammunition, he killed an enemy soldier in hand-to-hand combat before extricating a wounded crew member from his platoon sergeant's tank, carrying him to an armored personnel carrier and returning to battle.

He died April 30, 1971 in Michigan and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

Among Johnson's other awards and decorations are the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal (Vietnamese).

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