The Vietnam Center and Archive: Finding Aid

THE VIETNAM CENTER AND ARCHIVE
Texas Tech University

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Finding Aid: Jack Johnson Collection Item Number: 6400000000

Association Collection (188th Assault Helicopter Company Association)
Location: D079.7E, cold storage vault overflow D158.1

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Scope & Content:

Less than one linear foot of VHS tapes, DVD, stories, and a recommendation for the nomination of Jack O. Johnson for induction into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame document Jack Johnson's service in Vietnam with the 188th Assault Helicopter Company.

Biographical Note:

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.

Access Level:

Restricted: Documents with adresses, phone numbers, or social security numbers

Collection Inventory:

Location	Box	Folder	Contents
D079.7E	1	1	Information on the location of III Corps 12th Aviation Group 269th (Combat) Aviation Battalion
			Information on I Corps 12th Aviation Battalion Group, 308th (Combat) Aviation Battalion
			Information on 188th Assault Helicopter Company and patches
		2	Three page note describing video cassette recording of UTT/68th Aviation Co., 640VI2730
			Note explaining following items in this folder
			Documents pertaining to LTC Jack O. Johnson's service record and awards
			Newsletter photocopy about 2007 Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame Inductees
			Photocopy of newspaper article about Johnson's induction to the Hall of Fame, from the Lawton Constitution 2007/09/19
			Note about the following documents in this folder
			"Spiders Mid-Air," by Dick Detra
			"Boom Boom A-GO-GO," by Dick Detra
			"The Guns"
			"III Corps Area of Operation: The Iron Triangle," By Dick "Cherry Boy" Detra

Separated Materials:

Moving Images:	640VI2728: Cassette: Lt. Charles Mauer's Tape, 1966-1968 Dau Tieng and LZ Salley.
	640VI2731: Cassette: Pipesmoke Recovery, Phu Loi Vietnam '67-'68.
	640VI2732: Cassette: 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, September 1967-June 1968 (original copy).
	640VI2733: Cassette: 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, September 1967-June 1968 (homemade backup copy).
	640VI2726: Cassette: The Personal Experience: Helicopter Warfare in Vietnam.
	640VI2730: Cassette: 1964-1965 Utility Tactical Transport Helicopter Company/68th Aviation Co. For description see letter in D079.7E, folder 2.
	640VI2729: Cassette: Video History 188th Assault Helicopter Company, Vietnam 1967-1968.
	640VI2734: DVD: Vietnam: The Chopper War.
	640VI2727: Cassette: WO Geoffrey Handel's Tape, 1967-1968 Dau Tieng/Phu Hep/LZ Sally.

Oral History Interview

An Oral History Interview has been conducted with this individual. Use the link below to view a record for this interview.

Although the interview has been conducted, the audio and/or the transcript may not yet be available.

Oral History Interview