FLINT, MI, US
U.S. Army
SPC, 161ST EN SUPPORT CO, 27TH EN BN, 20TH EN BDE, 18TH CORPS, FT BRAGG, NC
03/05/2010, NORTH KUNDUZ, AFGHANISTAN
Joseph Dennis Johnson was born May 7, 1986 in Flint, Michigan. He graduated from Carman Ainsworth Highschool in 2004 and attended Lake Superior State University. He became a US Army soldier in 2006.
Joe was an adventure, mischievous and fun loving. From the time he was little, you never knew what was coming next. He once said of himself “I live life to the fullest. You only live once, make the best of it because the only things in life you regret are the risks that you didn’t take!” Anyone can tell you that Joe enjoyed life, laughter, and his family. You can’t talk about him without laughing. He loved the outdoors, practical jokes, his sweatpants and slippers, and just having fun. When asked what his favorite color was one day, he replied “Plaid”.
After basic training, Joe received training in many different areas. He became an Airborne Combat Engineer (rough terrain) and was trained in identifying and destroying IED’s. He deployed to Afghanistan with the 161st Combat Engineers in December 2009 as Counter-IED. He was a team leader, medic, and volunteered for every mission. He believed in his job and said that for every bomb he found and disarmed, someone’s life was saved. He enjoyed the Afghan people, especially the children. He loved his fellow soldiers, and they loved him. “His leadership, his laughter, and his light will be missed”, stated one commander. He was a courageous soldier and a hero to his family and friends. A real “GI Joe”.
Joe was killed in action in Kunduz, Afghanistan on June 16, 2010. He received the Combat Action Badge, Purple Heart, and Bronze Star.
Cherishing forever his memory are his parents Dennis and Teri Johnson, sister Jennie and husband Nich Pollak, nieces and nephews Hailey, Brennan, Landon, and Brooklyn, grandparents Eugene and Lois Johnson, and Glenna Maxwell. He was preceded in death by niece Katelyn Pollak and grandfather Arthur Maxwell.
“ROCK HARD”
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