A Gold Star Sister

Rosemarie (Johnson) Morken of Peterson, Minn., the sole surviving sibling of Army Private First-Class Jerry Allen Johnson declared that she is proud to be a Gold Star Sister.

Rosemarie, Johnson’s youngest sister was only 11 years old when he was killed in Vietnam. She remembers the day when her family received the news that he had been killed.

Jerry was born on October 15, 1941, to Harvey Jerome Johnson and Bernice Maye (Muns) Johnson. The couple had five children: Yvonne, Marilyn, Harold (Howie), Jerry and Rosemarie.

The family is of Norwegian heritage and settled in the Mabel area and Choice area. Jerry was baptized at the South Fork Church in rural Fillmore County. He grew up in Rushford and attended Choice County School and Rushford Public School. While in the Army he completed the tests of General Development, high school level, in May 1964.

Rosemarie shared that Jerry loved to play baseball with his brother Howie. They played on a baseball team from Rushford.  She also remembered that he liked to hunt and fish. She added that he was a quiet guy and a good-looking man as well as a hard worker.

Their father served in the Army during World War II and liked to dress the little boys in Army and Navy suits. Jerry’s brother Howard served in the Navy.

Rosemarie proudly explained that Jerry would have made a good father. Their sister Marilyn had eight children and lived in Wisconsin. Jerry would go stay with them in Wisconsin and help with the kids. “He changed diapers. The whole works. He was a good man.”

He was very good to their mother, Bernice who became very involved in the Gold Star Mothers program after his passing, marching in area parades.

Private First Class Johnson enlisted in February 1964 and served at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., before being deployed to Vietnam. Assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, 1st Battalion, 7th Artillery, Btry B. Johnson barely spent two weeks in in South Vietnam stationed at Bien Hoa Base, which had endured relentless attacks for three days. Jerry died of pneumonia on August 9, 1965.

A letter from Jerry’s friend said that Jerry was a man who did everything he was told; the more he was told, the more he did. Everyone liked him in the unit. The day he was killed, even though he was ill, he was sent out on detail and ran into heavy fighting.

He is buried in the Choice Community Cemetery next to his parents and grandparents. At the time of his death his grandmother Celia was still living.

Brigadier General John Norton described Jerry as a “fine and brave man, who served his country with a profound devotion and exceptional ability. His performance of duty set an outstanding example for all that knew him.”

Jerry’s name is etched onto Panel 02e, Line 49 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., as well as on the moving wall. If you have the opportunity to visit either the Vietnam Memorial Wall or the moving wall when it’s nearby, consider capturing a photo beside Jerry’s name or make a rubbing of his name.

Jerry was awarded the following medals: the Purple Heart, the Medal of Honor, Second Class, Republic of Vietnam, the National Defense Ribbon, the Expert Marksmanship Badge with rifle bar, the Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze and two silver stars, and the Gold Star Lapel Button.

Bob Ahles, Vietnam Vet, St. Cloud, Minn., shared on the VVMF.org website, “You were one of the brave that answered the call. You honored us by your service and sacrifice. We now honor you each time we stand and sing the words ‘The land of the free and the home of the brave.’”