William C. Johnson, Jr.

Born in Augusta on June 13, 1946, William Clayton Johnson, Jr. was the only child of William Clayton Johnson Sr. and his wife, Willie Harris Johnson. William Senior had served as a Sargent in the United States Army in World War II. William Jr., known as Bill or “Pug” to his friends, attended Joseph Lamar Elementary, Tubman Jr. High, and graduated from the Academy of Richmond County in 1964. While in high school, he was a leader in the Boy Scouts and a member of the ARC JROTC Color Guard.

 

Upon graduation, William joined the United States Marine Corps. Cpl. Johnson was wounded in May 1967.  After recuperating from his injuries, he returned to active duty and was wounded again. Soon after, he returned to duty again. His mother petitioned the Marine Corp to allow her son to come home due to his repeated injuries. Her request was granted, but “Pug” decided to stay in Vietnam, explaining to his mother that his fellow soldiers needed him. On September 25, 1967, he was killed in action in Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam. His mother received a letter some 30 years later from then Captain (Later Brigadier General) Frank Breth, who shared a fox hole with Bill. Captain Breth wrote:

 

“Bill was an outstanding man. I always wanted to be with Bill because he knew what to do, and was a patriotic young Christian man. As a wireman, Bill went up and down the line to make repairs every 10-15 minutes. We had over 3000 men and Bill was in contact with at least 900 of them at some time. The men were afraid and so was he. When Bill went into the fox hole with the other men, calm would come over them. Bill explained to me that he prayed with them and for them. Over 90 men converted to the Christian faith because of his example and influence.”

 

Pug was awarded for his service, receiving two Purple Hearts. His name is on Panel 27, ELine 11 of the Vietnam Memorial and he is one of three Marines of the thirteen Musketeers killed in Vietnam who are honored on the plaque at ARC. His mother became a leader in the Augusta Chapter of the Gold Star Mothers and did volunteer work in the veterans’ hospitals in the city.