Scope and Contents

Approximately three linear feet of materials documenting Jack Johnson's service in Vietnam with the UTT (Utility Tactical Transport) Helicopter Company/68th Aviation Company and the188th Assault Helicopter Company. The materials include moving images; VHS tapes; CDs; DVDs; books; memos/correspondence (e.g. attempt to obtain awards including Medal of Honor for Jack Johnson; Johnson’s induction into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame); letters of commendation; photographs and images; unit histories and lineage (e.g. 118th Aviation Company); certificates; base outlines (e.g. Camp Rainier, LZ Sally); articles/clippings; rosters; casualty lists; flyers/pamphlets; award nominations/recommendations/citations, including narratives; reports; flight records; service records; daily staff journals; Army Board for Correction of Military Records proceedings; Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame induction ceremony booklet; Johnson's induction nomination materials; electronic media; The Spider People: A Book About the 188th Helicopter Company Black Widows by Dick "Cherry Boy" Detra (signed by author); scrapbooks; medical records; military orders; maps; after action reports; diagrams; and ephemera. The materials are dated 1955-1971 and 1996-2019.

Biographical / Historical

Jack O. Johnson entered service in Vietnam as a Captain working as a US Army Aviator, in May 1964. He was a Platoon Commander in the Utility Tactical Transport Helicopter Company (UTT), the first armed helicopter unit in the US Army. Between December 1964 and February 1965, the UTT was involved in the Battle for Binh Gia. Johnson was flying ground support when he heard radio calls for help from Captain James Behnke. Johnson was able to land in heavy fire and rescued Behnke and others from the NVA. Later he helped support those who were evacuating wounded men with suppressive fire, or he himself landed and saved many men trapped in downed helicopters. He received a very serious wound attempting to land to aid other men. He was medically evacuated to the US where he nearly lost he lower right arm. After he healed, nine months later, he volunteered to return to flight status to be able to take a second tour in Vietnam. He returned in October 1967, with the promotion to Major, and command of the 188th Assault Helicopter Company, supporting the 25th infantry Division and the 101st Airborne Division. His unit was involved in operation Rapid Fire V, and often worked under fire. Johnson was also involved in Tet where he flew in supplies and then evacuated wounded during heavy fire. After Tet, his unit supported the 101st Airborne Division with air assault operations. Johnson received many awards and commendations including the Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal, a Purple Heart, Legion of Merit, Soliders Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, and many others. He retired from the Army in 1977 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Since retirement, Johnson has worked as an adjunct professor at the University of Oklahoma, and the program director for the Taliferro Community Psychiatric Hospital and Treatment Center. He is a member of the Lawton Downtown Kiwanis Club, and is active in his community.