A Soldier's Story: Sergeant Dwight Hal Johnson



Born on May 7, 1947, in Detroit, Michigan, Sergeant Dwight Johnson enlisted in the US Army in 1967. He was assigned to be a tank driver with the 69th Armor Division and deployed to Vietnam for the Vietnam War.

Sergeant Dwight H. Johnson earned a Congressional Medal of Honor when, while under attack, his tank through a track. Sergeant Johnson left his tank, armed only with a 45, opened fire, and proceeded to pull wounded soldiers from tanks. Although he did, for a short time, have access to a larger weapon, most of the fight was fought (and won) with a 45.  

Sergeant Dwight H. Johnson would be a haunted man after his return home, and on April 30, 1971, he would be shot during a convenience store robbery. However, it is important to note that there are questions regarding his involvement in any theft. He rests in Arlington Cemetery.

Sergeant Johnson's story is immortalized in two plays. Strike Heaven on the Face by Richard Wesley and The Medal of Honor Ring by Tom Cole.

* Read about a.d. elliott's Everyday Patriot Project here*


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a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia. 

In addition to the travel writings at www.takethebackroads.com, you can also read her book reviews at www.riteoffancy.com and US military biographies at www.everydaypatriot.com

Her online photography gallery can be found at shop.takethebackroads.com

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Location: Detroit, MI, USA

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