[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 99 (Wednesday, July 6, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1240]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING LIEUTENANT COLONEL WILLIAM JOHNSON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 6, 2011

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize and pay 
tribute to Lieutenant Colonel William ``Will'' Johnson, United States 
Army, on the occasion of his departure from the Army House Liaison 
Office to take Command of 5th Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 
4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas. I, 
and many other Members of the House of Representatives, have had the 
pleasure of working with him over the past two years that he has served 
as a part of the U.S. Army Office of Legislative Liaison and as a 
Liaison Officer in the Army Liaison Office in the U.S. House of 
Representatives.
  Lieutenant Colonel Johnson was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 
the Field Artillery from the University of Richmond's Reserve Officer 
Training Corps in May of 1993. In January of 1994, he entered active 
military service when he attended the Field Artillery Basic Course at 
Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Lieutenant Colonel Johnson's first unit of 
assignment was the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas, where he 
served as a Fire Support Officer, Platoon Leader, and General's Aide-
de-Camp.
  Upon completion of the Infantry Officer Advance Course, Lieutenant 
Colonel Johnson was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort 
Stewart, Georgia. During his first time at Fort Stewart, he served as a 
Battalion Fire Support Officer and a Battery Commander. While a 
commander, he led his men in combat during the ground invasion of Iraq 
in 2003, stopping first in Baghdad and finishing in Fallujah.
  Upon his return from Iraq, Lieutenant Colonel Johnson married the 
former Jessica M. Parrish.
  After graduation from the Command and General Staff College at Fort 
Leavenworth, Kansas, Lieutenant Colonel Johnson was reposted at Fort 
Stewart, Georgia. While living in Georgia, Will and his wife were 
blessed with the birth of their son, Davis. Lieutenant Colonel Johnson 
deployed once again to Iraq in 2007 as part of the ``Surge'' serving 
for 14 months as a Brigade Fire Support Officer and later as Battalion 
Operations Officer. Upon returning, Lieutenant Colonel Johnson and his 
family moved to the National Capitol Region for their current 
assignment in Army Legislative Liaison. Lieutenant Colonel Johnson was 
selected by Representative John M. Spratt, Jr. as his Department of 
Defense Military Fellow in the Second Session of the 111th Congress.
  Upon completion of his Fellowship, Lieutenant Colonel Johnson was 
assigned to the Army House Liaison Office informing and assisting all 
the members of this legislative body. Lieutenant Colonel Johnson has 
never failed to impress my colleagues and me with his energy and 
dedication to Soldiers, their families, and the United States Army. He 
is a superb representative of Army values.
  It is my great honor to congratulate Lieutenant Colonel William 
``Will'' Johnson on his service to the Army and our Nation and I ask my 
colleagues to join me in recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of 
this Soldier, citizen, and friend.

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