Photo By Airman Cailey Aandal | U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Dieu-Huyen Johnson, 133rd Force Support Squadron,...... read more read more
U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Daisy Johnson, a services specialist at the 133rd Force Support Squadron, enlisted in the Air National Guard at the age of 38.
Johnson’s desire to enlist has deep roots. As the daughter of a South Vietnamese soldier who fought alongside U.S. forces during the Vietnam War, her path to the military was shaped by family sacrifice and heritage. Her father’s connections with American soldiers helped her family immigrate to the U.S.. Growing up in St. Paul, she cherished a photo of him in uniform, one of the few remnants of his service.
“[My father] looked so dang cool in his uniform,” Johnson said. “I wanted one of my own. I wanted to serve the community like my dad did. He doesn’t talk much about the [Vietnam] war. When I asked him about it while in school, all he’d say was, ‘I was in it,’ that’s it.”
After high school, Johnson was ready to follow in her father’s footsteps, but he had other plans.
“He said, ‘I [served] so you don’t have to. You should go to college,” said Johnson
She listened. Johnson attended college, married, had two children, and built a life. However, even after she accomplished so much, something was still missing.
When her youngest child started school, Johnson said she had a self-examining period and realized it was time to stop waiting. What had been on the back burner needed to become a priority. Telling her father was tough, but once she enlisted, his perspective shifted.
“I couldn’t shake it, it’s always been in the back of my mind,” Johnson said. “[My father] saw he couldn’t talk me out of it, and we finally bonded over his stories.”
Although her father had a large impact on her enlistment, Johnson’s reasons for serving are layered. She serves for her father, for her country, and her community. But above all, her children. The Air National Guard proved to be the perfect fit for Johnson, allowing her to be there for her children. Despite being older than most trainees at basic training, she brought something invaluable, life experience.
“It’s actually a huge plus,” Johnson said. “It helps me guide my troops. In that sense, I have no regrets. Everything happens for a reason.”
Now, Johnson serves not only as a Guardsman but also as a role model, particularly for younger Asian Americans.
“I don’t see a lot of people who look like me in uniform,” said Johnson. “The older generations think of their time in uniform as something they had to do, like my dad, they don’t steer their kids towards it. I want to show them a different perspective. We can contribute, and you don’t have to commit to a full-time active-duty military lifestyle. There are part-time opportunities that are rewarding.”
By finally answering her calling, Johnson has found her place with the 133rd Airlift Wing, a place that feels like home.
“I want to show my kids that it’s never too late to pursue what you want to do,” said Johnson. “[I wanted] to honor my dad. To say thank you to the United States, my adopted country and to serve my community. To make that step, it felt homey, like this was where I was supposed to be.”
| Date Taken: | 08.03.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 08.06.2025 09:04 |
| Story ID: | 544637 |
| Location: | ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, US |
| Hometown: | ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, US |
| Web Views: | 81 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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