Remembering Colonel Jesse L Johnson

Colonel Jesse Loftis Johnson, one of the most highly decorated Army special operations veterans in United States history, passed away peacefully, with his family at his side, on September 13, 2022.  He was 83.

Growing up in Pocahontas, Arkansas, a rural town nestled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, the little farm-boy with an eidetic memory devoured every book he could find on World War II and the heroes that won it.  All those hours  poring over their famed exploits, he had no idea that some of those same iconic names would one day become his real-life mentors, leading him into the most legendary battles of the Vietnam War—from the thick jungle mountains of the Central Highlands to the booby-trapped rice paddies of the Mekong Delta. Hitting the beach with the 1st Cavalry Division at Qui Nhon, South Vietnam, in September 1965, the then-young sergeant had no idea that he’d just taken the first step in an odyssey of warfare that would span five decades and several conflicts across the globe.

In 1968, the newly commissioned captain volunteered to return to Vietnam as a rifle company commander operating in the Mekong Delta with the 9th Infantry Division.  In just his first few months of combat—leading bayonet charges, fighting the enemy hand-to-hand, clearing bunkers, negotiating minefields, and writing too many “next of kin” letters—he would earn his third Bronze Star, three Silver Stars, and three Purple Hearts.  On the night of July 23, upon receiving reports that his men were about to be overrun by a full battalion of NVA, Johnson ordered a chopper to insert him alone at “the point of heaviest contact.” Rallying his men in a desperate, pitched battle, he killed scores of enemy fighters and organized the rescue of a downed helicopter crew.  Despite a gaping chest wound from a VC rocket attack, he refused medical evacuation and continued fighting until he was sure the enemy was in full retreat and his men were safe.  For his brave actions that night, he would receive the Distinguished Service Cross.

A decade later, after twice earning the Legion of Merit for his work as Deputy Commander of Delta Force and then commanding officer of the 10th Special Forces Group, Johnson would go on to command all special operations during Desert Storm, reporting directly to General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, who commended him as an “unsung hero of the Gulf War.”

After almost 35 years of military service, Colonel Johnson “retired” from the Army in 1993, going on to launch Cochise MTS, one of the first private military contracting firms. By 2005, at age 65, he would once again find himself in frontline combat, this time leading a team of mostly former Delta Force operators in clashes against al-Qaeda insurgents along “Route Irish,” touted as the most dangerous road in Iraq.

Johnson offers a much deeper examination of his extraordinary life and hero’s journey in his bestselling memoir, Warfighter: The Story of an American Fighting Man, which recently earned a gold medal from the Military Writers Society of America—his last decoration.

A great believer in education, Johnson held a master’sdegree and honorary doctorate in international relations from Boston University.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Daily M. and Hattie L.Johnson, brother Daily O. Johnson, and sister Mona Baker.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Judith Johnson; sisters, Lois Rogers, and Betty Cooper; and daughters Tambra, Felicia, and Shannon; grandchildren, Stephanie, Ashley, Jesse and Jacob great granddaughter, Jamison.

In Lieu of flowers , please make donations to the Special Operations Warriors Foundation.

Jesse L. Johnson served a distinguished military career spanning 34 years on active duty. He spent the majority of his service in Airborne and Special Operations units.  His deployments and overseas service include Germany, Vietnam, Belgium, Italy, Canada, Iran, Grenada, England, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq.

While Col Johnson served in the 101st Airborne Division he deployed to the Republic of Vietnam with the Airborne Brigade of the 1st Air Cavalry Division.  As a Sergeant First Class (E7) he received a direct battlefield commission to the rank of 1st Lieutenant for combat actions during his tour in Vietnam and served another tour in Vietnam as a Company Commander and Staff Officer in the 9th Infantry Division.

His military career has led him to service in SHAPE Headquarters in Castau, Belgium; the 509th Airborne Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy; command at the 325the Airborne Infantry, 82nd Airborne Division and completion of the Army Command and General Staff College at Ft Leavenworth, Kansas and Canadian War College in Kingston, Ontario.

Colonel Johnson served as the Deputy Commander in the Army’s elite DELTA Fore at JFK Special Warfare Center at Ft. Bragg, N.C.   During this time, he participated in the Iranian Rescue attempt, the Granada rescue of the American Medical Students and the search for Brigadier General James Dozier while he was captive of the Italian Red Brigade Terrorist Organization.

Colonel Johnson has commanded and served in the other elite forces to include commanding the 10th Special Forces Group (split between Ft. Devens, MA and Bad Tolz, Germany and command of SOCCENT (Special Operations Command of Central Command) Mac Dill, AFB, Florida. While SOCCENT commander he deployed to Saudi Arabia for Desert Storm.

His military decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross, the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, three awards of the Silver Star, the Soldiers Medal, four awards of the Bronze Star, two awards of the Legion of Merit, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Free Fall Parachutist Badge and the parachutists’ badges from Germany, England, Belgium, Canada, Kuwait, the United Emirates and Qatar and numerous other service medals.  Civilian Decorations include the Gold Medallion and Seal from the Central Intelligence Agency and the distinguished recognition from the commonwealth of Massachusetts.  His civilian education includes a Bachelors of Arts Degree in History from the University of Tampa, Tampa Fl, a Masters of Arts Degree in International Relations from Boston University and an Honorary Doctorate Degree (LLD) in Laws from Boston University. His military activities have been defined in 21 books to include “It doesn’t take a hero” by General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, “Every Man a Tiger “ by General Charles Horner and Tom Clancy.  One of the major highlights of his military career was being the Commander of all Special Operations Forces during the First Gulf War (Desert Shield and Desert Storm) which included the liberation of Kuwait City.

After almost 35 years of military service, Colonel Johnson “retired” from the Army in 1993, going to launch Cochise MTS, one the first private military contracting firms.  By 2005, at age 65, he would once again find himself in frontline combat, this time leading a team of mostly former Delta Force operators in clashes against al-Qaeda insurgents along “Route Irish” touted as the most dangerous road in Iraq.

Colonel Johnson offers a much deeper examination of his extraordinary life and hero’s journey in his bestselling memoir, “Warfighter: The Story of an American Fighting Man” which recently earned a gold medal from the Military Writers Society of America- his last decoration.