[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 1612]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



              TRIBUTE TO SERGEANT MAJOR CHARLES J. JOHNSON

 Mr. HUTCHINSON. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Command 
Sergeant Major Charles J. Johnson of the U.S. Army Communication-
Electronics Command who is retiring from the United States Army after 
30 years of active duty. Sergeant Major Johnson is an exceptional 
leader, a ``soldier's'' soldier and has served this great country with 
honor and dignity. He understands soldiering, leadership and selfless 
service. He is known for his dedication and integrity. He has tackled 
the tough issues that our Army has faced the passed few years while 
consistently focused on the proper care and concern for our soldiers 
and families. Through his hard work and efforts and the most 
significant contributions he has made our United States Army enters 
this new millennium as a strong, well-trained, proud fighting force. 
This wonderful American deserves a tremendous praise and thanks from a 
nation for which he has given so much and loves.
  Sergeant Major Johnson was born on August 8, 1949. He was raised in 
Canton, Georgia, and entered the Army in April 1970 at Fort Knox, 
Kentucky, where he was trained in Basic Soldiering and Basic Combat 
Skills. Upon the completion of Basic Training he received advanced 
individual training as a Communications Center Specialist at Fort 
Gordon, Georgia. Throughout his career, Sergeant Major Johnson 
continued his military education completing numerous military schools 
but most notable: Defense Race Relations Institute, Advance 
Noncommissioned Course, Organizational Effectiveness Staff Officers 
Course, First Sergeant Course and the United States Army Sergeants 
Major Academy. Sergeant Major Johnson was also awarded a Bachelor of 
Science Degree from the University of Maryland.
  Sergeant Major Johnson's initial assignment was with the Defense 
Communications Agency Southwest Asia Mainland Region (Vietnam). He was 
assigned to the Defense Communication Agency in Washington, DC, 
following duty in Vietnam. Sergeant Major Johnson has served over 24 
years overseas to include six tours in Germany, one tour in Korea, and 
another combat tour in Southwest Asia.
  Sergeant Major Johnson has served with distinction in every 
leadership position from Team Chief to Command Sergeant Major. He 
served as a First Sergeant of B Company, 440th Signal Battalion 
(Darmstardt, Germany) and as Command Sergeant Major of the 44th Signal 
Battalion (Mannheim, Germany), 22d Signal Brigade (Corps) (Darmstardt, 
Germany), U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, and the 
Command Sergeant Major of the 1st Signal Brigade ``Voice of the ROK'' 
in Yongsan, Korea. Sergeant Major Johnson also served as an instructor 
at the Infantry Center and School at Fort Benning, Georgia and on both 
the Equal Opportunity and Organizational Effectiveness Staffs at 
Headquarters, V Corps in Frankfurt, Germany.
  Sergeant Major Johnson's awards and decorations include the Legion of 
Merit, Bronze Star Medal (with oak leaf cluster), Meritorious Service 
Medal (with fourth oak leaf cluster), Army Commendation Medal (with oak 
leaf cluster), Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal (10 Awards), 
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and numerous service and 
campaign medals for service in both Southeast and Southwest Asia. He 
has also been awarded the German Marksman Award and the Signal Corps 
Regimental Medal, the Silver Order of Mercury.

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