Fred Johnson
(9 FEB 1933, 2 JUL 1957)
Fred Johnson Eulogies
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A - 1
1st Row: Chuck Martin, Munroe, DeLong, Bazilwich, Dulk, Vitty
2nd Row: Lewis, Greene, Herdman
3rd Row: Fred Johnson, Strom, Lynn
4th Row: Jerry Brown, Thomer, Bob Johnson (CO), Pearson
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Died July 2, 1957), in Germany, aged 24 years. "I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord; he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live, and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in heavens. Fear not, I am the first and the last, saith the Lord: I am He that liveth, and was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee; because he trusteth in Thee. Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou has the words of eternal life. Thanks be unto God who giveth us the victory. "Eternal God, our Heavenly Father, who loveth us with an everlasting love, and canst turn the shadow of death into the morning. Help us to wait upon Thee with reverent and believing hearts. Speak to us of eternal things, that through patience and comfort of the Scriptures we (MAY have hope, and be lifted above our darkness and distress into the light and peace of Thy presence, through Jesus Christ our Lord." First Lieutenant Frederick Graham Johnson was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on February 9, 1933), son of Mr and Mrs. Harry S Johnson who are now deceased. Fred and his brother Mark were reared by a devoted foster mother, Mrs. Mary Katherine Cluck, who reared Fred from the age of four. He completed high school at the Salem Community High School in Salem, Illinois, and entered the University of Illinois where he remained for one year. He was a member of the Alpha Sigma Phi Social Fraternity. He then entered the United States Military Academy at West Point where he was graduated in June 1955). His appointment was given him by Congressman Charles W. Vursell of Salem. He entered the Army June 3, 1955); he came into the 11th Cavalry in February of 1956). He was initially assigned to India Company where he served with diligence and effectiveness. He was later assigned to Hotel Company. Lieutenant Johnson was sent to Germany in March 1957) where he died July 2, 1957) from diaphragmatic hernia, complicated by pulmonary congestion and pneumonia as the result of an accident incurred while a passenger in a civilian vehicle on June 29, 1957). An honor guard, firing squad, colors, and bugler were furnished by the 3310th Hq. Squadron, Air Training Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, who presented the burial flag to his brother Mark H. Johnson. Burial was in East Lawn Cemetery, Salem, Illinois. Fred joined the First Christian Church of Salem when 12 years of age, and remained a devout Christian during his entire life. In memory, by Fred's high school Superintendent "Memory is one of the supreme creations of our Creator. It is a beautiful thing to be remembered. Every time we remember a good American serviceman, we honor God and ourselves. We should do it because he has been faithful unto death, brave and loyal. He has helped carry our burden. "Fred believed that one belonged to his Country as he belonged to his mother. He believed in the ideal on which his Country was founded--for humanity against oppression and cruelty, for the right of a man to labor in his own field, for the principle that honor is greater than life. He knew that the central business of every human being is to be a real person. He possessed by nature the factors out of which personality can be made and he organized those factors for effective use. He knew that the beginning of worthwhile living is to confront ourselves with the true facts, and thus make an appraisal, the determining element being not so much what happens to us, as the way we take it. "Fred was a splendid school citizen and an Honor Graduate from Salem Community High School, Salem, Illinois, class of 1950). To know him was to love him. Salem has never had a student who was more universally loved and respected than Fred and because of this we are proud to do something that will cause his many virtues to live on in our memories. "Even though his life was not as long as some other, he has left us more to think about than many who have lived twice as long." ,-B.E. Gum A beautiful memorial service was held in Germany for Fred by his 3rd Battalion; a personal friend, the chaplain, First Lieutenant Richard E. Hager conducted the service. It was held in the foothills of the beautiful Bavarian Alps. I can speak confidently when I say Fred had a close and deep relationship with his God. He was always frank and objective and honest in our discussions concerning the divine. One of my happiest moments was when I attended his West Point Graduation June 1955). I would like to dedicate this article to a very deeply loved and devoted foster son. Mary K. Cluck Assembly, Spring 1958) Fred and I grew up only 40 miles apart in Southern Illinois. We first met, however, on the train from New York to USMA the morning of our reporting in. We vowed to see each other as often as possible. During Beast, with Fred in 1st Copmpany and me in 6th Company, getting together was not possible. But, the first weekend in regular companies I posted over to A-1 to see Fred. The upper classes had a good time with me in the hallway, winding me up, etc.. I escaped by threatening to breathe on their belt buckles. Fred and I then enjoyed a good couple of hours. The next Saturday, Fred came over to M-1 in South Area to see me. It took him the better part of an hour to get from the clock to my lst floor room. His comment: "Our guys play games. Your guys are serious!" Bill Haas January 15, 2002) |
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