Carl Johnson is featured speaker at Memorial Day Program

Carl Johnson, of Waukon, was the featured speaker at this year’s Memorial Day Program held Monday morning at St. Paul Fellowship Hall.

Having volunteered for the military draft after graduating from high school in 1966, he entered the United States Army on Nov. 1, 1966.

As Carl reflected on the importance of Memorial Day, he shared his own experiences. He spent time at Fort Bliss, Texas and later at Fort Polk, Louisiana where he was trained for the infantry.

He was deployed to Vietnam on April 19,1967. As an infantry man, he was attached to the First Cav Division.

Johnson was wounded on a night ambush shortly after arriving, May 14, 1967. He was wounded two more times with a bullet wound to the head and three shrapnel wounds to the leg just three days before his stint in Vietnam was scheduled to end.

He explained that his duties while serving with the First Cav included being a sniper, a tunnel rat and a squadron leader.

His awards and decorations include three Purple Hearts, the Silver Star, the Air Medal, Combat Infantry Badge and the Bronze Star.

Carl, who was an employee of the United States Post Office for 37 years prior to his retirement, is proud to have served in the military and share his reflections on those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Carl and his wife, Julie, who have been together for 55 years, have four children, six grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Due to the Memorial Day holiday and an early print date, we were unable to get the complete Memorial Day coverage in this week’s paper. Watch next week’s Herald for Quilt of Valor recipients, and a complete program recap.