[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 38 (Tuesday, April 12, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                    TRIBUTE TO COL. DAWN R. JOHNSON

                                 ______


                             HON. VIC FAZIO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 12, 1994

  Mr. FAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Col. Dawn R. 
Johnson, who retires today after 30 years of dedicated service to the 
U.S. Air Force. For the past 4 years, Colonel Johnson has been serving 
as the Chief, Nursing Services, of the 652d Medical Group at the 
Sacramento Air Logistics Center, McClellan Air Force Base, Sacramento, 
CA, the largest Federal employer in northern California. She skillfully 
guided the delivery of nursing care during the integration of two 
medical facilities operating from separate locations under the guidance 
of two distinctly different operating commands.
  Originally from Columbia Cross Roads, PA, Colonel Johnson graduated 
from Troy High School in 1960. She obtained her diploma in nursing from 
Robert Packer Hospital School of Nursing, Sayre, PA, in 1963. She 
entered the U.S. Air Force in May 1964. Continuing her education, she 
graduated with honors while earning a bachelor of science degree in 
social psychology at Park College, Parkville, MO, in 1985. Colonel 
Johnson's professional military education includes completion of Air 
Command and Staff College.
  Her first assignment was as a general duty staff nurse at Cannon AFB, 
NM. In 1966, she transferred to the orthopedic unit, Clark Air Base, 
Republic of the Philippines, where she cared for hundreds of American 
and Vietnam battle casualties. Following her stateside return in 1967, 
she was assigned to Maxwell AFB, AL, with a follow-on assignment to 
Philadelphia as a nurse recruitment officer for the 3502d Group. 
Colonel Johnson was again called to support combat operations during 
the Vietnam conflict. She first served as a flight nurse with the 10th 
Aeromedical Evacuation Group, Travis Air Force Base, CA. While assigned 
to the 10th AEG, she participated as an aeromedical evacuation 
crewmember during Operation Homecoming--the airlift of U.S. prisoners 
of war from North Vietnam. She later represented the flight nurses of 
that heroic mission for the presentation of the McKay Trophy. Following 
this flying assignment, she served as charge nurse, emergency room and 
outpatient clinics on a remote assignment to Udarn, Thailand. From 
there, her next assignment was at the U.S. Air Force Medical Center 
Scott, Scott Air Force Base, IL, where she was charge nurse of the 
orthopedic and ear, nose and throat unit, surgical nursing coordinator, 
and chief nurse of the 100 bed aeromedical staging facility. Following 
that assignment, she became chief nurse at the U.S. Air Force Hospital, 
Tinker AFB, OK, in 1980, with a subsequent assignment as chief nurse, 
U.S. Regional Hospital March, March AFB, CA, in 1985. While at March, 
Colonel Johnson formulated, in conjunction with the civilian community, 
training programs and contingency plans for the airlift of casualties 
in the event of a natural disaster. In 1987, she served as deputy 
chief, division of nursing at Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland 
AFB, TX. In this capacity, she was a key player in the reception and 
triage of casualties form Panama during Operation Just Cause. Since 
1990, she has been in Sacramento, CA, and is currently serving as the 
first chief, nursing services of the 652d Medical Group.
  While assigned to Sacramento, she served as chief, nursing services, 
323d Medical Group during the difficult drawdown phase of Mather AFB, 
CA. During this time, she masterfully orchestrated the first-ever 
integration of two medical facilities from different commands, thus 
establishing a blueprint for use throughout the Air Force. The 323d 
Medical Group, Mather AFB, CA, combined with the USAF Clinic McClellan, 
McClellan AFB, California to form the 652d Medical Group, McClellan 
AFB, CA. Her experience, leadership, and professionalism led to her 
selection as the first chief, nursing services of the 652d. Despite 
facing a multitude of issues related to the integration, she also 
provided a major contingent of nursing service personnel to the war 
effort in Southwest Asia. Despite this major obstacle, integration was 
successfully accomplished with an emphasis on quality care to our 
customers.
  Through her impressive career, Colonel Johnson received several 
awards and decorations, including the Meritorious Service Medical with 
four oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak 
leaf cluster, and the National Defense Service Medal with star.
  The extraordinary leadership, compassion, and dedication of Col. Dawn 
R. Johnson, supported by her husband, CMSgt (Ret) Howard Johnson of 
Sacramento, CA, and their daughter Carrie, culminates a distinguished 
career in the service of her country and reflect great credit upon 
herself and the U.S. Air Force.

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