Aviation Ordnanceman Third Class Johnson was a crew member of a PBM-5 Mariner patrol bomber with Patrol Squadron 892 U.S. Navy. On 22 April 1951, on take-off from Naval Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, his aircraft's engine failed and the aircraft cartwheeled in a forced landing in Iwakuni Bay, drowning him.

Johnson was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.