Robert Dennison Johnson
Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy

Robert Dennison Johnson was born on 12 February 1934 in Bridgeport, CT, the son of Franklin C. and Augusta B. Johnson.

During his Navy career, Johnson had the following assignments and/or duty stations:

● Basic Flight Training, NAAS Ellyson Field, Pensacola, FL
● Helicopter Flight Training, NAAS Ellyson Field, Pensacola, FL
● Helicopter Transition & Tactical Training, U.S. Army
● Survival (S.E.R.E.) Training, U.S. Naval Amphibious Facilities
● Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 1
● Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 2
● Airborne Early Warning Squadron 12
● USS Karin (AF-33)

[Information furnished by http://www.seawolf.org]

On 1 September 1967, Lieutenant Commander Robert Dennison Johnson was serving with DET-1 (USS Garrett County), HA(L)-3, TF 116, U.S. Naval Forces Vietnam, in Vinh Long Province, South Vietnam.

On that day, LCDR Johnson died while missing in the crash of the helicopter (due to non-hostile action) in which he was the pilot. His body was not recovered.

Information from http://www.pownetwork.org/bios/o/o360.htm states the following regarding the crash:

LCDR Robert D. Johnson was an Assistant Operations Officer assigned to Light Helicopter Attack Squadron 3, Detachment 1, onboard the USS Garrett County (LST 786). On 1 September 1967, he was scrambled on a predawn emergency launch to interdict Viet Cong forces attacking a friendly outpost. The UH-1H on which he launched carried a full crew, including PO1 Edward L. Ott III [Honoree Record ID 268790], a jet engine mechanic.

The helicopter was seen to lift off the deck of the USS Garrett County and crash into the Bassac River. When the survivors of the crash appeared on the River's surface, Johnson and Ott were not among them. An immediate search was initiated using River Patrol Boats and other helicopter search aircraft. The search lasted for several days and nights, however, the results were negative.

The cockpit/cabin portion of the aircraft was located partially covered by mud, and debris was scattered over the river bottom. It was believed that the bodies of Johnson and Ott could not be recovered. Both were listed as Killed, Body Not Recovered. It is not likely that Johnson and Ott survived the crash of their helicopter to be captured under such closely observed circumstances.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Purple Heart
Air Medal
Combat Action Ribbon
Navy Presidential Unit Citation
Navy Unit Commendation
Navy Occupation Medal
National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star
Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
Vietnam Civil Actions Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Naval Aviator Badge

Honors

The name Robert D Johnson is located on Panel W52 Line 21 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Memorialization

The name of Lieutenant Commander Robert Dennison Johnson is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial in Honolulu, Honolulu County, HI.