New York Military Museum hosts Veteran of the Year event Saturday, Nov. 15: Retired Army Col. Charles Johnson to be honored by the Association of the United States Army and the Friends of the New York State Military Musem

Courtesy Photo | Retired Col. Charles Johnson during his service in Vietnam. (Courtesy photo)  

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY, UNITED STATES

11.14.2014

Courtesy Story

New York National Guard

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - The New York State Military Museum will play host to the 2014 Veteran of the Year Award sponsored by the Association of the United States Army and the Friends of the New York State Military Museum Saturday, Nov. 15 at 1 p.m.

The ceremony will recognize retired Army Col. Charles R. Johnson, a veteran of the Vietnam War.

Johnson, who served in the Army for 26 years, was a Vietnamese Ranger adviser, an operations officer in a U.S. Special Operations Group and as a battalion commander in the 9th and 25th Infantry Divisions. He retired from the Army in 1981.

Johnson graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1955 and was commissioned second lieutenant of infantry.

Rep. Chris Gibson is expected to attend the event.

Johnson's assignments were primarily in troop leading positions, but also included two tours at his alma mater first in the Physical Education Department, and later in the Intercollegiate Athletics Department. His military education includes the Infantry Officers Basic and Advanced Courses, the Command and General Staff College, the Army War College, Airborne and Ranger Schools and the Pathfinder Course. He has graduate degrees from Columbia University and Penn State University.

Since arriving in the Capital District in 1999, Johnson has been active in community service, including the Troy Mayor's Ethics Committee, the Board of Trustees of Oakwood Cemetery, Habitat for Humanity, and the Governor's Commission for State Veterans Cemeteries.

He is a member and past president of the Tri County Council Vietnam Era Veterans, American Legion Post 1610, VFW Post 8444, Veterans of Lansingburgh, the Rensselear County Veterans Organization and Stratton VA Center Volunteer DAV Van Driver. He also serves on an Advisory Board for a Leadership Program at Duke University and is president of his West Point class.

Johnson is married to Trudy Hall, head of Emma Willard School. He has three children: Sam, a retired Army colonel and West Point graduate; Joe, a resident at Baddour Memorial Center in Senatoria, Mississippi; and Wendy, a fabric designer in Providence, Rhode Island.

• Date Taken: 11.14.2014
• Date Posted: 11.14.2014 13:14
• Story ID: 147887
• Location: SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY, US