Gordon Johnston (soldier)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Gordon Jonston | |
|---|---|
| May 25, 1874–March 8, 1934 | |
| Place of birth | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| Allegiance | United States Army |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Unit | U.S. 6th Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Spanish-American War * Battle of Las Guasimas * Battle of San Juan Hill Philippine-American War * First Battle of Bud Dajo World War I * Meuse-Argonne Offensive |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star (3) Purple Heart Officer of the Legion of Honor (France) |
Gordon Johnston (May 25, 1874 — March 8, 1934, was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, the son of Confederate General Robert Daniel Johnston. Johnston graduated from Princeton University in 1896 and returned to North Carolina where he worked briefly in the insurance business. In 1898, he enlisted in the U.S. Army to fight in the Spanish-American War, serving in Cuba with the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, better known as the Rough Riders. After a brief return to civilian life, he was offered a commission as a second lieutenant in the Army in 1899 on the recommendation of Theodore Roosevelt.
Johnston was posted to the Philippines where he served with the 43rd Infantry Regiment in the Philippine-American War. On February 1, 1900 Johnston's actions as the leader of a small detachment of scouts was to earn him the nation's second highest award for bravery, the Distinguished Service Cross. The citation states: "... Lieutenant Johnston displayed remarkable gallantry and leadership in charging a greatly superior force of entrenched insurgents in the face of cannon and rifle fire, driving the enemy from their position and capturing the town of Palo."
Johnston returned to the United States, where he was the honor graduate in 1903 from the U.S. Army's infantry and cavalry school. Johnston returned to the Philippines as a first Lieutenant in the Signal Corps with the 6th Infantry Regiment. On March 7, 1906, Johnston distinguished himself under heavy fire in the Battle of Bud Dajo, where he was severely wounded. For his actions in this battle, Johnson was awarded the Medal of Honor.
Johnston went on to lead a distinguished career in the Army. Johnston was to win the Distinguished Service Medal for his work as the chief of staff for the 82nd Infantry Division during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive of World War I. Johnston died in a polo accident March 7, 1934.
[edit] Medal of Honor citation
"Voluntarily took part in and was dangerously wounded during an assault on the enemy's works."
[edit] References
- Arlington National Cemetery website profile of Gordon Johnston
- U.S. Army Signal Corps article on Gordon Johnston
- Nephew's brief letter about Johnston's life
- Princeton and the Spanish-American War
Categories: 1874 births | 1934 deaths | People of the Spanish-American War | American military personnel of World War I | People from Charlotte, North Carolina | Burials at Arlington National Cemetery | Army Medal of Honor recipients | Recipients of US Distinguished Service Cross | Recipients of the Purple Heart medal
