Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Chester
Lee
Johnson
POW (WWII)
1915-06-03

–

1997-07-10

Born:

Halsey

, 

Oregon

Home:

Hermiston

, 

Oregon

Buried: 

West Point

, 

New York

Cemetery:

U.S. Military Academy Post Cemetery

Seeking an appointment to West Point, Chester Johnson hitchhiked from Oregon to Washington to meet with his congressman and secure a nomination. He was appointed and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1937. Captured at the fall of the Philippine Islands in 1942, he suffered as a Prisoner of War of the Japanese for more than three years. He retired with disability in 1973 as a U.S. Army Major General.

Awards Received

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major General

    Division:

    IV & V Army

    Action Date:

    1970 – 1973
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Chester Lee Johnson (ASN: 0-20681), United States Army, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Deputy Commanding General, FOURTH Army and Deputy Commanding General, FIFTH Army, from 1970 to 1973.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery)

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Philippine Islands)

    Action Date:

    1942 – 1945

    Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery) Chester Lee Johnson (ASN: 0-20681), United States Army, was captured by the Japanese after the fall the Philippine Islands in 1942, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his return to U.S. Military control at the end of hostilities in 1945.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    1966 – 1967
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Chester Lee Johnson (ASN: 0-20681), United States Army, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from 1966 to 1967.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major General

    Division:

    7th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    1965 – 1966
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Chester Lee Johnson (ASN: 0-20681), United States Army, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding General, 7th Infantry Division, in Korea, from 1965 to 1966.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major General

    Division:

    U.S. Army South

    Action Date:

    1967 – 1970
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Chester Lee Johnson (ASN: 0-20681), United States Army, was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commanding General, U.S. Army South, from 1967 to 1970.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    24th Field Artillery Regiment (Philippine Scouts)

    Action Date:

    1942
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery) Chester Lee Johnson (ASN: 0-20681), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Executive Officer, 24th Field Artillery Regiment (Philippine Scouts), in action against the enemy in the defense of Bataan, Luzon, Philippine Islands, in 1942. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Johnson, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.