More than 70 years after he was killed in action during the Korean War, the U.S. awarded Pfc. Charles Johnson the Medal of Honor, U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan announced Friday afternoon, capping a long push by Johnson's family and others in the Hudson Valley to posthumously recognize the Dutchess County soldier with the nation's highest military award for valor.
A Millbrook native and graduate of Arlington High Scool, Johnson was killed in action on June 12, 1953, while defending his fellow soldiers from an enemy attack. While he received a Silver Star in 2011, the Medal of Honor had eluded him.
Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado said in 2022 that some of Johnson’s fellow soldiers say he was overlooked because of his race. Now, Johnson’s Silver Star will be upgraded to the Medal of Honor at a ceremony at the White House, Ryan said.
“PFC Johnson is an absolute American hero – that’s why I fought relentlessly alongside his family and countless advocates from Arlington High School and our entire Hudson Valley community to ensure he was awarded this long overdue Medal of Honor,” said Ryan. “His exceptional bravery and selfless actions that day were derived from a life firmly grounded in service to his country and his Millbrook community, as well as an unwavering commitment and sense of duty to his brothers in uniform."
According to testimony from soldiers who fought with him, Johnson died protecting them during a fierce attack in which he jumped into action and saved the lives of at least eight men, despite sustaining serious injuries.
As a congressman, Delgado secured a commitment from U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to recommend Johnson for the Medal of Honor. It needed approval from President Joe Biden. Ryan said he sought the medal upgrade from the president.
Frank Pepe, former superintendent of the Arlington Central School District, helped bring Johnson’s sacrifices to the surface in recent years. Johnson's story is seen as an emblem of character and values at Arlington High School.
"Charlie Johnson's heroic actions saved his classmate and men in his company during the Korean War. The study of his life and character has positively influenced thousands of Arlington students through the Charlie Johnson Legacy Project,” Arlington Central Schools Superintendent Phil Benante said in a statement. “Our students, educators and community members have worked for over twenty years to advocate for Charlie to be honored with the Medal of Honor and today we feel an immense sense of pride and gratitude in knowing that Charlie has been appropriately honored for his acts of valor at Outpost Harry on June 12, 1953."
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