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Springfield family mourns fallen Marine

‘Born leader’ 1st Lt. Michael Johnson was among several troops slain in a Sept. 8 attack in Afghanistan.

Michael Johnson

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By Valerie Lough, Staff Writer Updated 11:21 PM Monday, September 21, 2009

SPRINGFIELD — Michael Johnson was determined to get where he wanted to go in life, one piece of paper at a time.

The 25-year-old U.S. Marine Corps 1st lieutenant, who has family in Springfield, was so goal-oriented he would affix notes to his bedroom mirror, reminders of the next objective he set for himself, said his father, Brian Johnson.

“(For example) it would be, ‘get to 10 pull-ups ... get to 100 pull-ups,’ ” said Johnson, a Shawnee High School graduate. “It was there to remind him every morning and when he went to bed every night.”

According to the Department of Defense, Johnson, two other Marines and a Navy Corpsman died Sept. 8 while supporting combat operations in Kunar province, Afghanistan.

A McClatchy News reporter embedded with Johnson’s unit wrote that the unit came under heavy fire when it was approaching a village.

Helicopter support was delayed and the unit could not obtain artillery support, the report stated.

The attack also killed nine Afghan troops, police and an interpreter.

“It’s an empty feeling, it leaves us with a very hollow feeling,” said Michael Johnson’s grandfather, Edward Johnson of Springfield.

Brian Johnson said his son was so focused, he would assign himself two hours a day to do his homework.

“He wasn’t the kind of guy you needed to stay on.”

Michael Johnson loved the outdoors and chose to attend college in Oregon after falling in love with the scenery.

“It only took one visit and he was hooked on the Pacific Northwest,” said Brian Johnson.

The “joyful” young man was a “born leader” who wanted to be a Marine since he was a teenager, his grandfather said.

“All of his men respected him,” said Edward Johnson.

As a boy, Michael Johnson would visit Springfield and spend a few weeks with his grandparents, said Brian Johnson.

“In his last e-mail, he told us to tell the crew from Ohio that he loved them.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0360  or vlough@coxohio.com.

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I'm a VietNam veteran I salute a brother from a brother a job well done peace brother be with you.

Kenneth Riffle
8:50 PM, 9/22/2009

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Your family made the ultimate sacrifice. You have my sympathy and gratitude.

Teacher
3:47 PM, 9/22/2009

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I will be praying for your family during time of loss,thank you so much for raising a man to serve this country and protect our freedom.

Travis Aker
11:22 AM, 9/22/2009

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Thank you for raising a brave young man who wanted to serve his country in order to protect our rights and freedom and to promote those ideals around the world.

God bless you and comfort you.

sheri
10:41 AM, 9/22/2009

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god bless the johnson family in their time of sorrow. may you know your son/grandson has not died in vain. may he ret in peace. semper fi!

beth
9:07 AM, 9/22/2009

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