Vietnam veteran honored by Saratoga County
BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. » A highly-decorated serviceman who flew more than 300 night missions over Vietnam was recognized Tuesday during Honoring Our Deceased Veterans program ceremonies at Saratoga County Offices in Ballston Spa.
A large crowd turned out to pay tribute to late Air Force Staff Sergeant Sam Johnson, the husband of former Town of Day Supervisor Mary Ann Johnson, who chaired the county Veterans Committee for many years.
Sam Johnson joined the service in 1964, after graduating from Hadley-Luzerne High School, and was sent to Vietnam three years later where he was an aerial gunner aboard the Douglas AC-47 Spooky gunship, designed to provide firepower when ground forces called for close-air support.
“No outpost or village under AC-47 protection was lost to the enemy,” said Frank McClement, Saratoga County Veterans Service Agency director.
Johnson was assigned to the 3rd Air Commando Squadron, redesignated as the 4th Air Commando Squadron, and then later the 14th Special Operations Wing.
Some of his most harrowing missions came during the Tet Offensive.
“Bien Hoa, where Sam was stationed, was attacked during Tet and flight crews had to scramble to get airborne and hold off the attacking Viet Cong units,” McClement said.
He told how Johnson’s crew, during one particular mission in April 1968, was subjected to a heavy hail of automatic weapons fire.
Gunship members, risking their own lives, saved many Americans by providing protection from the air while medical evacuations took place on the ground.
“These air crew members would remain on station, circling the target, providing close-air support for hours,” McClement said. “They were fired on quite a bit.”
Before going to Vietnam, Johnson completed courses in survival training, special air warfare, weapons maintenance supervision and weapons mechanic training. It was all put to the test when he went overseas.
For his service Johnson was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.
Officials presented Mary Ann Johnson and other family members with numerous awards and citations including a state Senate Liberty Medal, the state’s highest honor; a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C.; and an official White House proclamation signed by President Donald Trump.
Mrs. Johnson was joined by her son Matt and daughter-inlaw Ashley; daughter Stef and son-in-law Ken McKinney, and their daughter, Alana; Sam’s sister, Diane Butchino; and Sam’s nephew Eric Johnson and his wife, Raeann.
Sam was discharged from the Air Force in September 1968, one year after going to Vietnam. However, his life of service continued as he remained extremely active in the community. He had a 31-year career as a lineman and line foreman for Niagara Mohawk Power Corp. and would give electrical assistance and advice to residents even after retiring.
He also spent 16 years as a town councilman and served on the Board of Assessment Review, Cemetery Committee and was town Republican Committee chair.
An active supporter of veterans-related causes and organizations, Johnson belonged to VFW Post 5836 and Masonic Unity Lodge No. 22.
“Today we honor Sam Johnson as a veteran and an example of service and dedication,” McClement said.