1 December 1941 – 2 October 2010
Quantico National Cemetery, VA 22172
Ron Johnson passed away on 2 Oct 2010, at the age of 68, after a 16-month battle with cancer.
Ronald Paul Johnson was born in Valley City, North Dakota, on December 1, 1941. He had two sisters, Jean and Eileen, and four brothers, Dennis Stan, Doug and Alan. He was a graduate of the University of Texas, the Naval Postgraduate School, and the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. Major Johnson proudly served in the United States Marine Corps for 21 years, including a tour of duty in Vietnam. He attained the rank of Major. After retirement he had many opportunities to use his gifts and intellect, serving as a university professor, an administrator for several churches, and a computer analyst at Warner Robins AFB. Mr. Johnson loved to teach the Scripture and was passionate about imprinting the Word of God into the hearts and minds of youth. He was a mentor to many people, freely giving of his time and wisdom.
Ron Johnson was married to Earline K. Johnson for 42 years. They had three children: Dr. Kirsten Johnson, Marcae Robertson, and Dr. Paul Johnson. He and his wife had seven grandchildren. Ron passed away on Saturday, 2 October 2010 at the age of 68, after a 16-month battle with cancer. A man of strong faith, he claimed the promise of Philippians 1:21, “To me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Ron was interred at Quantico National Cemetery with full military honors.
USMC Resume:
TBS Class 1-68 Alpha Company, 3rd Platoon June-Nov 1967
Hawk Missile School – US Army Ft Bliss TX.
Vietnam: April 1969 to May 1970; Adjutant duties.
Post-Vietnam:
Retired <date> with the rank of Major.
Personal Reflections about Ron Johnson:
From Earline Johnson: “I regret that I will not be able to attend the reunion. Had Ron been living I know that he would have enjoyed this occasion as he was so proud to be a Marine. The first time we visited the Wall he touched names that he recognized with tears in his eyes. When he toured the USMC museum in Quantico he was so moved. Our oldest daughter was with us and she was awed. After his burial at the Quantico National Cemetery (I had the burial of his ashes there as that is where we had met). All of us toured the museum and the grandchildren were in awe seeing all the displays. Each bought a memento because Grandpa was a MARINE and they each have a casing from the gun salute.
It is no secret that I am very proud to be a Marine wife. Our daughter Kirsten was born when Ron was in Vietnam. He met her the first time on R&R in Hawaii. After his funeral she said it very well. “I don’t understand why Dad had to die so soon but I am so thankful that I had him for 43 years. He came home to us from Viet Nam – many fathers did not.””
I came to the Marine Corps by way of Annapolis, class of ’67, after a year in NROTC at the University of Rochester, NY. After four years there I chose commissioning in the Marines because I judged the Marine Officers I found there to be a cut above others; we were at war and I wanted, in my four obligated years, to test my abilities to lead and succeed so as to know if I wanted a full career. I thrived at TBS, and after graduation got to attend Reconnaissance Replacement School at Pendleton (a terrific two-week school for learning to use supporting arms).
Arriving in RVN I was lucky to be assigned (because I was jump qualified) to 1st Force Reconnaissance Co. at Phu Bai. It meant an extra 100 dollars a month (whoo hoo). From Jan of ’68 till Dec I led 28 patrols with my platoon, managed to get wounded only once and lived out the cowboys and Indians fantasies of my boyhood. In December I was given command of Co. B, 1st Bn. Recon and I left RVN in late February for assignment to Pendleton.
At Pendleton I took over a platoon but soon found myself dissatisfied. I managed to win a competition to attend the Aerial Observation School on the East Coast, and after graduation was assigned as a Division AO at Pendleton. (Best job I ever had). As the pilots wanted us to learn to land in an emergency, I got a lot of stick time in the OV-10 and the left seat of the Huey and was encouraged to put in for pilot training.
I began training at Pensacola in December of 69 and got my wings at Kingsville, TX. in May of ’71. Assigned to VMA 223, El Toro flying A-4s, I got my MOS training at Yuma and then stayed with the squadron until Jun of ’72.
From Jun until Dec. of 73 I was a flight instructor in Beeville, TX. flying T2C aircraft. This is where I really learned to fly. Teaching is a great tool for learning. In January I was assigned to Iwakuni, Japan as the Base Services Officer (who knew) in the MAB Squadron, but two months later was chosen to serve the CG as his Aide. This job gave me the opportunity to travel, visit various other major commands and see how the military, political and state departments interact throughout the far Pacific. Actually, apart from combat and teaching flying I never worked harder. The replacement for the CG asked me to stay on as his Aide and by April of ’75 I was ready to be home.
From April to August I worked as an assistant to the Aviation Monitor and then was assigned to the Defense Intelligence School in Anacostia, MD from September to the following June ’76. Upon graduation I was assigned to Cherry Point for AV-8 Harrier training. My class was the first after the really top notch aviators had got the airplane up and running. I guess they figured if we could fly it most everyone could. We had guys from all different aviation backgrounds and we all did fairly well I think. After graduating I was assigned to VMA 352 and I served there in various positions until I left. Flying the Harrier was the best aviation job I had. It’s a great, safe airplane that is a thrill to fly.
By February of 1979 I was hearing a much higher call to service and in August I left the Marines to attend seminary at the University of the South, School of Theology. By October I was wishing I had begun seminary 10 years earlier. I was home and had found my truest calling. In December of 1982 I was ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church and over the years I’ve served 7 different parishes in 5 different states. In June of 2004 I was elected and installed as Dean and Rector of the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, St. Petersburg, FL. After a second heart event in 2008, I retired in February of 2009. My wife Judith and I have 4 children (2 and 2) and 5 grand kids who are all, kids and grands…. above average. I’ve done 16 marathons, love to read, play golf and chase Judith. In May we’ll be walking the Northern Spanish pilgrimage to Camino de Santiago, God willing. I have had a wonderful life and much of it is colored by the knowledge that I was, am and will always be a Marine.
Russell (Biff) Johnson
Born: 1942
Enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps 1961
Graduated B.E. (mechanical) Vanderbilt University 1967
Commissioned 2nd Lt and served in Vietnam
Resigned from the Marine corps as a Captain in 1971
Joined American Air Filter as an engineer – held positions as manufacturing engineering manager and plant manager
Joined Tube Turns Inc. in 1980, as plant manager
Transferred to Tri Tech Inc. as President in 1983
Returned to Tube Turns in 1990 as Exec. V.P. of operations until retired in 2001
16 December 1945 – 20 August 1977
Ashes scattered at base of Lizard Head Peak, near Telluride, CO 81435
Stuart Carlisle Jones, Jr. was born 16 Dec 1945 in Boston, MA to Navy Captain Stuart Carlisle Jones Sr. and Doris Gates. Stuart’s father, a USNA graduate and a 28 year career Naval Officer, served in WWII on the Battleship USS New Mexico, during the Korean Conflict, and Vietnam, from 1941 to 1968. Stuart, the oldest of three boys, was followed by Thomas H. and Michael R., both of whom were born in the San Francisco Bay area.
Living the typical Navy junior life, the Jones family was constantly on the move. Stuart went to several elementary and junior high schools (Arlington, VA). Punahou Academy in Honolulu, Hawaii was his high school— a member of the graduating class of 1963. Arriving as a sophomore, he was active in ROTC marching Band (drummer) and the student newspaper; Vice President of the Forum and Debate Team; a Carnival Booth Chairman; and on the Chapel Committee.
Stuart attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN on a NROTC scholarship from 1963 to 1967 earning a BA in History. While at Vanderbilt, Stuart was in the NROTC with a Marine Corps option and attended the 6-week Bulldog Program, between his Junior and Senior years, at MCB Quantico, VA. Stuart was also on the yearbook staff, played intramural sports – football, wrestling. He was a member and officer of the ATO fraternity.
Stuart accepted a regular commission in the USMC upon graduation from Vanderbilt and reported to Officers Basic School Class 1-68 Alpha Company 3rd Platoon, in June 1967. Upon graduation in Nov 1967 he got his orders to Vietnam arriving in Jan 1968. His first assignment was with Alpha Company 1st MP Battalion in DaNang. At some point he requested and was sent to the Philippines for Recon training. Returning to Vietnam he was assigned to the 3rd Recon Battalion 26th Regiment in Quang Tri. He returned to the States in May 1969. Achievements of note: Stuart achieved the “Master of Fitness” award.
Post-Vietnam, Stuart was assigned to a Camp Lejeune Recon Unit. Highlights were participation in NATO exercises in Europe. This was followed by a tour of duty at the Naval Weapons Station Earle, NJ. Stuart was released from the USMC in 1972.
Post USMC, Stuart was an avid outdoor adventurist. He crewed aboard a sailboat from New England to Puerto Rico and stayed on for a while in San Juan as a scuba instructor at the Caribe Hilton in San Juan.
In 1973, Stuart entered Georgetown University Dental School on a Navy scholarship, where he served as class president 3 of 4 years (including senior year). During this time, he took up the guitar and banjo and learned to play well enough to perform at local coffee houses and bars. He also pursued his love of hiking and mountain climbing – Appalachian Trail, ice-climbing school on Mt. Rainier, the summits of Nevado Chopicalqui (21,000 feet) and Nevado Huascharán (22,205 feet) in Peru In 1977, Stuart got permission to miss his graduation to be one of two Americans to join the British Nanda Devi Expedition to climb the second highest mountain in the Indian Himalayas. After reaching the summit, a companion developed severe altitude sickness and Stuart largely carried him back to base camp. In the process, he injured a knee. That same year, Stuart accepted a commission in the Navy and was assigned to Camp Pendleton as a dentist. Traveling cross country to take up his new post, Stuart stopped in Colorado to hike and climb with friends on Lizard Head Peak. Perhaps because of the earlier injury, Stuart fell and passed away from his injuries on 20 August 1977, at the age of 31. His family scattered his ashes at the base of the peak, and placed a plaque there in his memory.
Best of friends: Stu Jones and Bob Hagan – Vanderbilt NROTC, ATO Fraternity brothers, TBS.
USMC Resume:
Officers Basic School Class 1-68 Alpha Company, 3rd Platoon
Alpha Company 1st MP Battalion in DaNang
Philippines for and Recon training
3rd Recon Battalion 26th Regiment Quang Tri
Camp Lejeune Recon Unit
Naval Weapons Station (NWS) Earle, NJ.
Released from active duty 1972
Personal Reflections about Stuart Carlisle Jones Jr:
From Mike Jones, 18 April 2015: “Stu Jones brother Mike, TBS 4-73; would love to hear from anyone who knew Stuart. Mike Jones, thejones5@cox.net , Mission Viejo, CA.”
Cherie Mailer, 4 April 2015: “Stuart and I had the wonderful experience of attending Punahou Academy in Honolulu, Hawaii—as members of the graduating class of 1963. He was a Navy brat who arrived at the school as a sophomore and I arrived a year later. A large percentage of our classmates had been in school together for years (many since Kindergarten), so it wasn’t surprising that latecomers found comfort in each other’s company. Stu and I had classes together both years and sat next to each other in our senior English class. Even though I was “going” with another boy, it wasn’t hard to develop a crush on Stuart. He was gentle, kind, intelligent and very handsome! We shared many spirited moments talking together. The quotation next to his senior photo is “Words may show a man’s wit, but actions his meaning.” How very fitting for the life to which Stuart fully committed himself!”
Mike Jones (Stuart’s younger brother): “Stuart was my oldest brother (my parents had 3 sons) and my hero. Heck, I followed him into the Marines and Dentistry and very thankful that I did (especially the former)!When he was in Vietnam, I protested the hippie protesters at my college in Ohio. An anti-Vietnam “Peace” tree they planted outside my dorm didn’t last too long. A Vietnam protest, with speakers, outside of my dorm was met with a barrage of water balloons that were launched through an opened window with surgical tubing (sling shot style)! He loved the Corps but when he started spending too much time at a desk instead of in the field, he decided it was time to make a change (initially, he was going to go to Law School-I believe he was accepted to The University of Louisville?- but eventually decided on Dental School). Shortly before I got out of the Marines in California (about April of 1975), I went to Boston to run the Boston Marathon and then on the way back to Ca, I flew to Washington, D.C. to spend a day with Stuart who was at Georgetown Dental School. It was probably the only time I can remember that our roles were reversed, I impressed him instead of the other way around. We had a good visit-he took me to see one of his favorite bluegrass bands (The Seldom Scene) that night. In December of that year, Stuart came home to California for Christmas vacation (the last time I saw him). As usual, Stuart couldn’t just sit around for more than a day or two without an adventure, so he planned a trip for us to hike up the trail to the top of Mount Whitney (in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, 3-4 hour drive east of Los Angeles, and the highest summit in the contiguous United States at 14,505feet). Unfortunately, in the dark the night before we were to hike, we drove over a big rock and sustained some damage underneath our car. We slept in the car and in the morning, instead of starting our hike, we had to go to a local gas station for some repairs. We started our hike a couple hours later and had a great time and saw some great scenery but didn’t have time to reach the summit (2 summers ago, in memory of Stuart and my Dad who had passed away the previous summer-also in August- I hiked the trail to the summit of Mount Whitney-probably the hardest thing, for this old man, I have done since OCS at Quantico)! Almost 38 years since his fall, and death, have eased the pain some but I still think about Stuart all of the time. I would love to hear from any of his friends at (949)294-0596 or email at: thejones5@cox.net. I hope you have a great reunion! Semper Fi, Mike Jones”
Mike Jones: “(Just a short P.S. on Stuart) My parents used to recall this conversation between Stuart and my Dad (eventually a 28 year career Naval Officer) to show how impressed Stuart was, with the Marines, at a very early age. When Stuart was about 6 years old, my Dad was trying to teach him the different ranks in the Navy. He started with Apprentice E-1 and went all the way up through the enlisted ranks and then the officer ranks and finally “Admiral” at which point Stuart said: “And then (after Admiral) do you get to be a Marine?” A gung-ho Marine from very early on!”
20 April 1945 – 14 September 2002
Quincy, MA – Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Princeton, 2) SSgt Felix Salmeron and Lt Bill Jones: ARVN Compound July 1968.]
William Alan Jones was born 20 April 1945 in Quincy, Massachusetts to Frank and Dorothy Jones. Bill’s father worked for the Boston Herald and his mother was a homemaker. Bill was the middle of five children: older brother Donald, sister Susan, and younger brothers Phillip and Tom. Bill attended North Quincy High where he was active as a Student Council member sophomore and junior years, President senior year, National Honor Society, Valedictorian, Editor-in-Chief of the yearbook, Harvard Book Award, Soccer sophomore and junior years, and hockey junior year.
Bill attended Princeton University on an NROTC scholarship with a Marine Corps Option. As such, he would have attended the Platoon Leaders Course (6-week Bulldog PLC) during the summer of 1966, at Quantico, VA. While at Princeton, Bill was: president and member of the Dial Lodge, Senior Manager of the Souvenir Agency, Member – Inter Club Council, Semper Fidelis Society, Orange Key Receptor, Freshman & JV Crew, and IAA Hockey. He graduated with a BA in History in June 1967.
Upon graduation, he accepted a regular commission in the USMC and served in Vietnam as a Platoon Commander with A/1/27. Following a year in Vietnam, Bill returned back to the United States and eventually ended up at Camp Pendleton. In 1970 he met his wife to be, Linda Munro in Mission Bay – San Diego, CA. Following his time in the service Bill attended one year of grad school at Claremont Graduate School before deciding to attend law school. He received a JD from George Washington University in 1976. He practiced real estate and transactional law in downtown Los Angeles for nearly 25 years. In his free time Bill enjoyed running, photography and reading. He was very active in sports with his two young children, Drew and Mandy, and also supported numerous youth sports organizations.
Bill passed away on September 14, 2002 of throat cancer. He is survived by his wife, Linda, his son, Andrew (like father like son – Princeton and a practicing attorney) and his daughter, Amanda, all living in the greater Los Angeles area.
USMC Resume:
TBS Class 1-68 Alpha Company, 3rd Platoon June- 22 Nov 1967
HILT – six week Vietnamese Language Course, Quantico, 23 Nov 1967
Vietnam: Platoon Commander A/1/27
Post-Vietnam: Camp Pendleton
Personal Reflections About Bill Jones:
From Bill Black, 13 Apr 2015: “I was shot in the early morning of 5 May 68, the beginning of the enemy offensive of “Mini Tet”. After sunrise, I hobbled with two other wounded Marines, escorted by a patrol from our platoon. We rendezvoused with a Jeep that drove us to the La Son School House serving as the CP of “A” Co. and 1st Bn, 27th Marines. The battalion surgeon checked us, and we were carried on stretchers with other wounded to the roadway LZ, just outside the school yard, to wait for a medivac helicopter.
2nd Lt. Bill Jones, a fellow alumnus of Vietnamese Language School, TBS 1-68 “A” Co., and Princeton Class of ’67, accompanied me to the LZ. He stood beside my stretcher and bent over me. Using my college nickname (derived from my hometown, Paducah, KY), Lt. Jones said, “Paduke, I might have known you’d have done it on House Parties Weekend!” Lt. Jones took over my platoon a month later and led the platoon in Operation Allen Brook.”
Excerpt from “40 Years of ’67 in PAW” May 2007 as written by David Reiser – by permission David Reiser: “William A. Jones
We all have “best friends”. Some “best friends” survive for many years or even a lifetime. Frequently, though, distance and circumstances curtail these relationships. These past “best friends” remain in a cryogenic state. There you find yourselves together again, nothing would have changed. This is a test of best friend status.
Jonesy and I met at Princeton where we joined the same eating club (fraternity). Bill had come from a wonderful “salt of the earth” family in Quincy, Massachusetts. I came from the Bronx. Jonesy rowed crew, I played golf. We were close friends. We stayed up to listen to WBZ play “Alice’s Restaurant” and “Light My Fire”. We fantasized about starting a school in a land free of snakes and bugs. In 1966 we ran against each other for club president. I voted for Jonesy. He won by a single vote.
On graduation in 1967 there was one thing on our minds; Vietnam. Jonesy was concerned with getting drafted out of law school. As with all things he treated the problem head-on and enlisted in the Marines. I kept a low profile in Harvard’s hallowed halls.
During his entire tour of duty we wrote each other. These letters are among my most treasured possessions. I gave him my very lucky t-shirt to help him return home safely.
July 4, 1968
Dear Dave [Reiser],
Things have been hectic for me the last week and a half. In June, I was personally [shot at], those bullets were actually aimed at me, shot at for the first time (but not the last). It was a particularly unpleasant sensation. The next day the same thing happened (maybe I should stay away from the radio operator).
And we made a two platoon, in line, John Wayne type assault, movie style. I had my 45 in one hand, and a grenade in the other, and I was leading the platoon in a movie-like charge. You should have seen it. It’s exciting when you don’t stop to think about how you could be killed or your men could be killed or maimed. For the moment, for the charge, there was nothing but adrenaline and excitement. I still enjoy being in the field, but the odds are starting to catch up. On the last operation, seven platoon commanders and two company commanders got hit. That’s out of a total of sixteen officers. Anytime I’m offered an office job, I’ll take it.
Of the five Princeton Marines to come straight to Vietnam, I’m the last one left. Davis caught malaria and is in Cam Ranh Bay. Bill Black, Bill Dankin, and John Tritsch have all been wounded.
Some f—ing Independence Day. My troops want to set off all the fireworks we have; flares, star clusters illumination, smoke grenades. I’ll keep you posted. Meanwhile, keep looking for the snakeless, insectless island. /s/Jonesy
What a wonderful reunion on his return! The t-shirt looked like the shroud of Turin. Pandy and I were married with Jonesy in the wedding. We didn’t have a honeymoon, so that we could be at Jonesy and Linda’s nuptials a week later. They went to California. We went to Ohio, with promises to reunite.
Bill Jones died of cancer [14 Sep 2002]. Our reunion will have to wait.”
