Clifton Reed Johnson, Ltc, Usa Retired

LT COL (Ret) CLIFTON REED JOHNSON, age 68, of Bel Air, died in Perry Point VA Hospital on July 18, 2004. Born in Baltimore, he was the son of the late Reed Clifton and Ruth Bernice Hall Johnson. A resident of Harford County since 1984, he served his country as a career Army Chemical Officer for 28 years earning the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

During his tour in Korea (1957-59) he joined Janis E. M. McCaw in marriage on April 25, 1959. One month after his marriage, Clifton was assigned to Fort McClellan as the Company Commander, and later was transferred to Fort Detrick for three tours where he served as the Company Commander, Department Commander, and the Commander of Foreign Science and Technology.

He served at Fort Bragg as a Chemical Officer in Special Forces where he became a Green Beret. He further served as the Secretary of the Chemical School at Fort McClellan, Alabama. He was Executive Officer at the Chemical Research and Development Center (CRDC) at Aberdeen Proving Ground where he was also Chief of the Chemical Ground Support Training Department at the Army Ordnance Center and School, and, later, served as Chief of the Chemical and Biological Division and Chief of the Resident Management Division at the Ordnance Center and School, and served with the 173rd Airbourne Inspector General Division in Vietnam. In Fort Monroe, Virginia he served as Chemical Officer for Headquarters.

In Indiana he was the Post Commander at the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant in Charleston, Indiana from July 1977 until August 1979. His next assignment was Camp Smith, Hawaii where he was Chief of Munitions Branch of the U.S. Pacific Command J-4 Directorate; after which he was assigned to the Armament Research and Development Center in Dover, New Jersey as the Chief of the Chemical Program Group. He concluded his career as Chief of Staff at the Edgewood Research and Development Center at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Edgewood Area.

A native of Perry Hall, Maryland, Clifton was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree from Morgan State University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He later was awarded a Master of Science Degree in Bacteriology from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where he further completed coursework towards his Doctorate. He completed the Command and General Staff College, the Chemical Officers’ Career Course, and the Field Artillery Officers’ Basic Course.

Highly decorated, Clifton Johnson has been awarded the Legion of Merit: the Bronze Star Medal; the Defense Meritorious Service Medal; the Army Meritious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters; the Air Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters; the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm; the Vietnam Campaign Medal; and the National Defense Service Medal. He was also awarded a Presidential and Meritorious Unit Citation, an Army and Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Ranger Tab, and the Parachutist Badge.

Mr. Johnson was a member of and sang in the choir at the Church of Resurrection and as a child he was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Ford’s Lodge, and the Shanks Masonic Lodge.

Mr. Johnson is survived by his wife of 43 years, Janis McCaw Johnson; two sons, Anthony L. Johnson of Perry Hall, Maryland; Mark C. Johnson and his wife, Lisa Johnson of Del Ray Beach, Florida; one daughter, Valaria R. Johnson of Edgewood, Maryland; two brothers, Clarence Johnson and his wife, Beverly Johnson of Perry Hall, Maryland; Pastor Bernard Johnson and his wife, Pastor Lois Johnson of Florida; seven grandchildren,
Markus Johnson of Del Ray Beach, Florida; Jessica Johnson of Washington, D.C.;
Amanda Johnson; Derrick Johnson; Cameron Johnson; Stephen Johnson; and Kareem Johnson, all of Edgewood, Maryland; aunt Hilda Walton of Stewartstown, Pennsylvania; sister-in-law, Valaria McCaw Lincoln; nieces; nephews; cousins; and a host of friends.

Clifton was a wonderful husband, an unusually special loving father and grandfather, and a caring, loyal friend. He will be missed, for his presence in the lives of the people whose paths he crossed was indeed a blessing.

Those who desire may contribute to Lt. Col. Clifton Johnson Memorial Fund, c/o Suntrust Bank, 2912 Emmorton Road, Abingdon, Maryland 21009.