 Billy Earl Johnson |
Billy Earl Johnson |
LOS ANGELES—Feb. 21 was a special day for Billy Earl Johnson, 74, a longtime member of the Los Angeles congregation.
In a combined worship service and formal ceremony, Richard Parker, pastor of the Long Beach and Orange County churches, was joined by Curtis May, district superintendent, as Mr. Johnson at last received honor overdue for more than 50 years.
Mr. Johnson served in the U.S. Army in a heavy artillery unit during the Korean War (1950-1953). He served with distinction, and was wounded in action, which meant he should have received several medals and citations, including the Purple Heart and Combat Infantryman’s Badge.
But there was a catch. Mr. Johnson is African-American, and at the time of the Korean Conflict, the U.S. military establishment was segregated. In spite of a decree from President Harry S. Truman (1945-1953) forbidding racial discrimination in the military, it still existed to a considerable degree.
Therefore, Mr. Johnson and many of his fellow African-American compatriots failed to get the recognition they deserved for serving their country in a heroic and honorable manner.
Mr. Johnson’s son Anton, himself a decorated Army veteran, set out to right this wrong. But it seemed as if nobody would hear his pleas on behalf of his ailing father, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease and other health issues.
After a lengthy and frustrating battle with the Department of Defense and the U.S. Army, Anton got a break. He found a sympathetic listener in the person of Congressman Gary Miller from California’s 42nd district.
Working closely with the office of the congressman, Anton finally succeeded in getting his father the recognition that had eluded him for more than 50 years. Here is a list with a few excerpts quoting from the documents that were received late in 2003:
* A letter of apology from the United States government signed by Condoleezza Rice, national security adviser, and President George W. Bush.
In this letter, Dr. Rice wrote to Mr. Johnson: “On behalf of a grateful nation, our allies, and myself, our sincerest apologies for the oversight of meritorious recognition during your term as a soldier of the Korean War. “
Please find enclosed, the official
documents conveying our deepest appreciation for your sacrifice and bravery as a
soldier while maintaining your position and duties, under attack and in the line
of fire on the battlefield.
“You are honored herein as an American hero, and soldier, of the Korean War, never to be forgotten.”
* On Dec. 8 Congressman Miller’s office issued a press release that says: “It has been more than 50 years since the withdrawal of American troops from the region of South Korea, ending the Korean War.
“Concurrently, public awareness that some of our brave citizens who fought in this brutal and deadly conflict, never received their due recognition as did their counterparts who served on the same battlefield, mostly as a result of being of ethnic background and culture.
“The first African American veteran of the Korean War (Billy E. Johnson) became the first recipient of a Congressional apology on December 8, 2003.”
* The
Governmental and Congressional Apology Certificate states the following: “On
behalf of a grateful nation, our allies, and myself, our sincerest apologies.
There was a Government and Congressional oversight of meritorious recognition
during your term of military service, during the period of the Korean War. Your
contribution to your Unit, your Division, your Battalion, and ultimately your
Country demonstrates more than the notion of ethnicity as an African American,
but of patriotism as simply an American.”
This document was signed by President George W. Bush, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Congressman Gary Miller, and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.
* The U.S. House of Representatives issued its own document, a Certificate of Congressional Recognition, which was given to show the country’s gratitude for Billy Johnson’s service as a member of the U.S. Army.
* The Department of Defense issued a similar document of recognition, signed by Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
Following the reading of these letters and certificates by Mr. Parker and Mr. May, the long-overdue service medals were pinned on the chest of the American hero, who wore his uniform from the Korean War era.
Retired Sgt. First Class Arthur Alvarez, a fellow veteran of the Korean conflict and a member of the Spanish congregation, presented Mr. Johnson with the Purple Heart medal, given for being wounded in action.
Other veterans, most of whom are WCG members, then pinned the remaining medals onto Mr. Johnson’s uniform. They are the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Korean War Service Medal (with distinction), the Korean Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. With each presentation, an Armed forces drummer played taps as the medals were pinned in place.
Finally, Sgt. Alvarez presented Mr. Johnson with a 50 Year Appreciation Medallion for veterans who served in Korea during the years 1950-1953.
The moving and emotional service concluded with Mr. Johnson’s son Carl, who is also an Army veteran, placing a ceremonial Korean War Artillery Unit’s dress cap on the head of his father. Then Anton Johnson drew a military dress sword and tapped Billy on both shoulders, signifying the ceremonial knighting of the senior Mr. Johnson in honor of his Congressional appointment as an American hero.
Mr. Johnson was then presented to the audience, who were asked to stand in recognition of him as an American hero. The attending veterans saluted him, and as he was wheeled out of the sanctuary, the audience sang “America the Beautiful.”
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2004