Search Results

JOHNSON -- William James Johnson, Jr. CDR USN retired, passed away September 17, 2008 in Los Alamos, NM. Bill was born November 5, 1931 in Richmond Hill, Queens, NY to William James Johnson and Sadie Hassell Johnson, formerly of the island of Saba, N. A. Bill descended from generations of Dutch Caribbean seamen who gained US citizenship by their service to the USA. He continued that tradition as a decorated US Naval Officer for 23 years, greatly contributing to nuclear science and research on land and sea. On March 17, 1954 Bill was graduated from Auburn University, BSEE, commissioned into the US Navy, and married the former Patricia Dean of Hartford, AL. His midshipman cruise was aboard the battleship USS Wisconsin (BB-64) and followed as commissioned officer aboard the destroyer USS Vesole (DD-878), home port Norfolk, VA. During his naval career, Bill was an active member in DASA/DoD/AEC EMP simulator development and from 1955 - 1957 managed weapons systems of the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project at Clarksville Base in Kentucky. Bill received a BS, Physics in Nuclear Weapons Effects from the US Naval Post-Graduate School, Monterrey, CA in 1959 and became Plank Owner and weapons officer aboard the USS Haleakala (AE-25), Port Chicago, CA. In 1961, while stationed in Norfolk, VA, Bill was nuclear weapons officer aboard the aircraft carrier USS Independence (CVA-62); participating in NATO exercises and providing US presence during the Cuban Missile Crisis, earning the Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Expeditionary Medal, and Armed Services Expeditionary Medal. While stationed at Sandia Base in Albuquerque, NM, 1964 - 1968 as DASA Test Group Director, Bill was responsible for developing test programs to evaluate the effects of nuclear attack. Bill received the Joint Military Service Commendation Medal for management of the EMP National Atmospheric Nuclear Test Readiness Programs, participating in Joint Task Force 8 operations in the South Pacific, developing nuclear weapons training manuals, and creating a methodology to simulate nuclear detonations. In 1966 he was senior US military representative to the International Solar Eclipse Expedition to Brazil for his research in high altitude scientific testing capability. In 1968 while stationed in Virginia Beach, VA Bill was executive officer aboard the ammunition ship USS Mauna Loa (AE-8) during Vietnam Combat Operations and the amphibious attack support ship USS Arneb (LKA/AKA-56) which received the Meritorious Unit Commendation for its role in the Apollo recovery operations. In 1969 the family returned to New Mexico where Bill was a military research associate at Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, WX-6 Division, conducting x-ray and neutron vulnerability assessment of classified foreign weapon systems and laser isotope separation for classified weapon development. In 1973 Bill received a MS in Physics from UNM, Los Alamos Graduate Center. Assigned to Kirtland Air Force Base in 1974, Bill was Chief of Test Operations in the Test Directorate, DNA where he managed test programs such as survivability/vulnerability, weapons effects and safeguards, and nondestructive simulation testing. Bill was retired from the US Navy in July, 1977 and subsequently worked for BDM Corporation, testing TRIDENT and MX missile systems and leading team effort to develop modular integrated data acquisition. Bill returned to Los Alamos in 1980, working as program manager for LATA especially for EMP and TREE environments. He retired from LATA in 1982, later marrying the former Regina Defield. Bill enjoyed rock-hounding, camping and fishing. His creative endeavors were always rendered with the finest hand; his award-winning photography, furniture, cabinetry, and silverwork are still admired. Bill was active in the Episcopal Church in every community he lived in. Bill was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel in1969. In his retirement, Bill became an active member and spokesman of The Retired Officers Association, TROA and enjoyed traveling with his wife Jean, visiting family, making friends and consoling shut-ins. Bill leaves behind his children Stan, Tuscaloosa, AL; Becky, Bernalillo, NM; Chip, Boise, ID; his widow Jean of Los Alamos, NM, her son and sons' children; Bill's many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchild, friends and community members who loved him. CDR William James Johnson, Jr was interred with military honors at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM. "Anchors aweigh, Dad."
        Published on: Sun September 20, 2009