VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, US
U.S. Marine Corps
1ST LT, 7TH COMM BN, 3D MHG, OKINAWA, JAPAN
09/08/2009, KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN
1LT Johnson was born and raised in Virginia Beach, VA. He was a hard working young person. The Johnson boys worked together taking on a variety of jobs during high school years. Mike had the reputation as a natural leader.. He adopted a fine work ethic and the kind of attitude that made him an asset in everything he tried and did. He had a keen facility to make friends. These qualities defined 1LT Johnson.
As a teenager, Mike traveled often to Oregon to visit with family. He stayed with his Uncle Greg who was influential in Mike’s life. 1LT Johnson adored being out in Oregon. The natural beauty and possibilities of outdoor activities drew Mike to this western state. Mike concluded after a trip west, “Man, there are no bugs or humidity out there – I’m going back there to live!”
Mike graduated from Hickory High School in Chesapeake, VA in 2002. He was admitted to Oregon State University. For 2 summers Mike attended US Marine Corps Officer Candidates School (OCS) in Quantico, VA. It was at OSU that he met his soul-mate, Durinda G. Donat of Keizer, OR, who was to became his wife. After Mike graduated in 2006, he was commissioned as a 2LT and reported to The Basic School (TBS) at Quantico, VA.
Mike and Durinda married in 2007. It was a lovely outdoor ceremony set in Durinda’s hometown of Keizer, OR. 1LT Johnson completed the Basic Communications Officers Course (BCOC) at Quantico, VA. His first overseas assignment was Okinawa, Japan. Mike and Durinda set up their home and adopted 2 dogs. 1Lt Johnson deployed to Afghanistan in August of 2009.
“Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God’s handwriting.” Ralph Waldo Emerson