[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 78 (Wednesday, May 20, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E766-E767]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     REMEMBERING AND HONORING MARINE SERGEANT WARD MARK JOHNSON IV

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                           HON. JOHN L. MICA

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 20, 2015

  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Marine Sergeant Ward 
Mark Johnson IV, a fallen hero who died while on a mission

[[Page E767]]

of mercy in Nepal on May 12, 2015. Sgt. Ward spent time growing up in 
Central Florida where today our community remembers his service to our 
nation.
  Sgt. Johnson enlisted in the Marine Corps on March 23, 2009 after 
earning two degrees from Seminole State College of Florida. Assigned to 
the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 69, Johnson served 
diligently in Afghanistan with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit prior 
to being deployed to Nepal as a crew chief in charge of maintaining the 
helicopter. As a testament to his outstanding performance, Johnson has 
been awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Air Medal 
with Strike/Flight Numeral 5, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and 
the Afghanistan Campaign Medal.
  Sgt. Ward Mark Johnson IV will always be remembered for the honor and 
courage with which he fulfilled his duties, and for the love and joy he 
gave his family and friends. This was his third deployment around the 
world and he never wavered in his commitment to his family, the Corps 
and his country. As you know, Mr. Speaker, our military deployed on a 
humanitarian mission to earthquake-ravaged Nepal, and Sgt. Johnson 
answered that call. With him were five other Marines who perished. We 
mourn their loss and extend our sympathy to their families.
  Sgt. Johnson was a patriot in every sense of the word and is 
remembered by a loving family and countless friends. He is survived by 
his wife Haley; their two young children, Nathan and Noah; and his 
parents, Mark and Shirley Johnson who reside in Florida's 7th 
Congressional District.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in remembering 
and honoring Marine Sergeant Ward Mark Johnson IV. We extend the 
condolences of this Congress and the American people, who he served 
gallantly, epitomizing the very best of our nation.

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