Lieutenant Colonel Jack O. Johnson of Lawton was born in Des Moines, Iowa. During combat with Army Aviation units in Vietnam, he conducted fire support supply and medical evacuation missions. On a number of occasions, he rescued aviation and ground personnel from death and/or capture by enemy military forces. Although he had been seriously injured, he refused a medical discharge after his first Vietnam tour, and returned to serve again.
During the 1968 Tet offensive, he made repeated landings at a fire support base while under enemy fire. Later he conducted air operations with outstanding success at risk of his own life. He received the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Soldier's Medal and the Bronze Star.
After retiring from the Army, he took up bicycling, and was designated the American Wheelmen's Volunteer of the year, and in 1996 was given the Oklahoma Governor's Distinguished Service Award in Physical Fitness and Sports.
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