Jesse Loftis Johnson
Colonel, U.S. Army

On 23 June 1968, then-Captain Jesse Loftis Johnson was serving as Commanding Officer of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, in South Vietnam.

On that day, CPT Johnson was on an airmobile assault mission near Long Hiep. CPT Johnson first led Company C on an assault through the enemy's flank to effect a link-up with another company. Taking operational control of both companies, CPT Johnson then arranged for the evacuation of all casualties, including the other company's commanding officer, and led his men against the enemy for the next 18 hours. Captain Johnson's extraordinary heroism earned him the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

Two days later, on 25 June, CPT Johnson's extraordinary heroism in close combat earned him a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star.

On 7 July 1968, CPT Johnson's Company C was on a reconnaissance-in-force mission in Long An Province. The point man in the lead element of his company had started to wade across a canal, and had reached a point 40 meters from shore when he was swept off his feet and pulled below the surface by the swift undercurrent. CPT Johnson shed his equipment and dove into the water. Fighting the swift current, he reached the now-unconscious man at the canal's bottom and, with great effort, managed to pull the victim to the surface. Captain Johnson's heroic action earned him the Soldier's Medal, the Army's highest award for heroism not involving actual conflict with an armed hostile force.

Eight days later, on 15 July, CPT Johnson's Company C was on a reconnaissance-in-force mission in Long An Province. When Company C became pinned down by machine gun, mortar and automatic weapons fire from an estimated battalion of North Vietnamese Army soldiers, CPT Johnson exposed himself in order to move from position to position, directing the fire of his men and rallying them for an assault that resulted in destroying 4 bunkers and driving the enemy from the area. When his company again became pinned down several minutes later, CPT Johnson repeatedly exposed himself in order to control the return fire of his men and assist casualties to a place of safety. His effective utilization of artillery fire that night dealt the enemy a decisive defeat. CPT Johnson's extraordinary heroism earned him a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star.

From March 1979 - November 1983, then-Lieutenant Colonel Johnson served as Assistant Operations Officer, Operations Officer, and Deputy Commander, 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-DELTA, Fort Bragg, NC. In his last assignment as Deputy Commander of this classified unit, he was responsible for the planning and execution of critical missions in support of national security and American doctrines and principles. During that time he participated in Operation Eagle Claw, the 1980 Iran Hostage Crisis; the 1981 search for Brigadier General James Dozier, held captive by the Italian Red Brigade Terrorist Organization; and Operation Urgent Fury, the Grenada prisoner rescue from the Richmond Hill prison in 1983. His performance in that assignment earned him the Legion of Merit.

From 24 June 1988 to 28 June 1990, then-Colonel Johnson served as Commander of the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne). His innovative, mission dedicated, professionally-focused training program coupled with his charismatic, dynamic leadership created an elite, superbly trained Special Forces Group and earned him a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit.

During the period 10 August 1990 to 19 April 1991, Colonel Johnson was serving as Commander, Special Operations Command Central, United States Central Command, King Khalid Military City, in Saudi Arabia, during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Faced with an unprecedented global and regional challenge for the U.S. and Coalition military forces, he took charge of over 10,000 U.S. and Coalition Special Operations Forces during the course of the two campaigns. Through his knowledge, skill and insight into joint/combined military actions, he directed the full spectrum of special operations in the Kuwait Theater of Operations. During this, the largest combined naval, ground and air campaign conducted by U.S. forces since World War II, he guided the Special Operations Forces of the U.S., as well as those of more than 25 coalition countries, including the Kuwait resistance, to total victory over Iraq. Colonel Johnson's distinctive accomplishments earned him the Defense Distinguished Service Medal.

During his 34-year military career, Johnson commanded and served in other elite forces to include commanding the 10th Special Forces Group, Fort Devens, MA, and Bad Tolz, Germany and command of SOCCENT (Special Operations Command of Central Command) MacDill AFB, Tampa, FL.

Medals, Awards, Badges & Tabs

Distinguished Service Cross
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star Medal with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Legion of Merit with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Soldier's Medal
Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device and 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Purple Heart
Meritorious Service Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with Silver and 2 Bronze Stars
Southwest Asia Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon with Award Numeral 2
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
Presidential Unit Citation
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Master Parachutist Badge
Special Forces Tab

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Infantry) Jesse Loftis Johnson (ASN: 0-5344800), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company C, 2d Battalion, 39th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 9th Infantry Division. Captain Johnson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 23 and 24 July 1968 while commanding an infantry company during a reconnaissance-in-force operation in Long An Province. His company was lifted by helicopter to join in a fierce fire fight with an estimated Viet Cong battalion. Captain Johnson asked to be inserted at the point of heaviest contact, and ran a hundred meters through intense machine gun fire to reach his lead element. Rallying his men, he led them in an assault against an enemy bunker complex which destroyed three bunkers, killed eight communists, and forced the remaining Viet Cong in the area to flee. By continuing to press the enemy, he freed other elements which had been pinned down by hostile fire. As darkness fell Captain Johnson's company was inserted into a new area. After directing the landing of a sister company under constant fire and moving three hundred meters across fire-swept rice paddies to assist in the deployment of its men, he organized a rescue party to aid a downed helicopter crew. Leading his small group through intense infested territory, he successfully evacuated the dead and wounded from the craft. Later that night, Captain Johnson detected movement on the edge of his company's perimeter. Advancing alone, he encountered three armed Viet Cong whom he slew in a brief fire fight. Seeing an enemy platoon forming for an assault on his position, he called in artillery which forced the aggressors back, but also wounded him. Refusing evacuation, he remained with his company through the night to direct its defense and ensure the safety of his men. At daybreak he led his troops against the entrapped enemy force, crushing its resistance. He was then ordered by his battalion commander to leave his unit and receive medical attention. Captain Johnson's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 4771 (October 14, 1968)

Defense Distinguished Service Medal Citation

The Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to Colonel (Infantry) Jesse Loftis Johnson (ASN: 0-5344800), United States Army, for exceptionally superior achievement as Commander, Special Operations Command Central, United States Central Command, King Khalid Military City, Saudi Arabia, from 10 August 1990 to 19 April 1991. Colonel Johnson's inspiring leadership directly contributed to the overwhelming success of United States joint/combined operations in Southwest Asia during Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. Faced with an unprecedented global and regional challenge for the United States and Coalition military forces, he took charge of over 10,000 United States and Coalition Special Operations Forces during the course of these campaigns. Through his knowledge, skill and insight into joint/combined military actions, he directed the full spectrum of special operations in the Kuwait theater of operations. During this, the largest combined naval, ground and air campaign conducted by United States forces since World War II, he guided the Special Operations Forces of the United States, as well as those of more than 25 coalition countries, including the Kuwait resistance, to total victory over Iraq. The distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Johnson reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Army, and the Department of Defense.

Action Date: August 10, 1990 - April 19, 1991