John (Dave) Johnson passed away on May 27, 2023, in Sterling, Virginia. Dave was born in Washington, DC on May 21, 1926, spending his youth in Canada, Spain and France and returning to the States just prior to the fall of France.
Dave attended Harvard University before enlisting in the Navy and entering the V-12 program at MIT, after which he was commissioned as an ensign in 1946. He attended Submarine School and the Naval War College, serving as an officer aboard the USS Wahoo and USS Tench and as commander of the USS Picuda.
After attending the Air War College Dave was assigned to the North American Defense Command, serving as commander of the USS Pyro and USS Bellatrix and participating in Vietnam operations. In September 1968 he became chief of the surveillance branch in the Joint Chiefs of Staff and three years later became commander of Service Squadron Five and then Service Group Three and later commanded Task Force 73, 7th Fleet logistical group.
Dave reported as deputy director for logistics, Joint Chiefs of Staff and two years later became the tenth commander of the Military Sealift Command, headquartered in Washington, DC. He was promoted to Vice Admiral in 1979 and assumed command of the Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet.
He served in both the Korean and Vietnam combat zones. His military decorations included the Distinguished Service Medal, four awards of the Legion of Merit, and the Joint Service Commendation Medal, along with numerous service and campaign medals.
After retirement in 1982, Dave began a second career in defense consulting with his own company, C Sense. From 1994 to 1996 he was a Senior Fellow at the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia.
VADM Johnson was a founding member of the Surface Navy Association, and a member of the Naval Submarine League.
The Johnson family loved camping and traveling the world. Dave also loved sailing, reading, family, and their many pets, especially their black lab, Triever. Dave and Pat moved from Springfield VA to their Falcons Landing home in the summer of 2007.
Dave is pre-deceased by his parents, John David Johnson, Sr., and Janet Harmon Johnson, as well as his sister, Margaret Asenath Johnson. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Patricia, his children Sharron (Ken) Minchella, Janet (Dave) Cannons, Peter Johnson, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He had twinkling eyes and a mischievous smile, always ready to share his curious mind and adventurous spirit. He was an inspiration to others, quick to recognize those who went before him, and expressing gratitude for all he'd been given. He was a gentle man, in every sense.
Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery with full military funeral honors with escort.
Dave attended Harvard University before enlisting in the Navy and entering the V-12 program at MIT, after which he was commissioned as an ensign in 1946. He attended Submarine School and the Naval War College, serving as an officer aboard the USS Wahoo and USS Tench and as commander of the USS Picuda.
After attending the Air War College Dave was assigned to the North American Defense Command, serving as commander of the USS Pyro and USS Bellatrix and participating in Vietnam operations. In September 1968 he became chief of the surveillance branch in the Joint Chiefs of Staff and three years later became commander of Service Squadron Five and then Service Group Three and later commanded Task Force 73, 7th Fleet logistical group.
Dave reported as deputy director for logistics, Joint Chiefs of Staff and two years later became the tenth commander of the Military Sealift Command, headquartered in Washington, DC. He was promoted to Vice Admiral in 1979 and assumed command of the Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet.
He served in both the Korean and Vietnam combat zones. His military decorations included the Distinguished Service Medal, four awards of the Legion of Merit, and the Joint Service Commendation Medal, along with numerous service and campaign medals.
After retirement in 1982, Dave began a second career in defense consulting with his own company, C Sense. From 1994 to 1996 he was a Senior Fellow at the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia.
VADM Johnson was a founding member of the Surface Navy Association, and a member of the Naval Submarine League.
The Johnson family loved camping and traveling the world. Dave also loved sailing, reading, family, and their many pets, especially their black lab, Triever. Dave and Pat moved from Springfield VA to their Falcons Landing home in the summer of 2007.
Dave is pre-deceased by his parents, John David Johnson, Sr., and Janet Harmon Johnson, as well as his sister, Margaret Asenath Johnson. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Patricia, his children Sharron (Ken) Minchella, Janet (Dave) Cannons, Peter Johnson, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He had twinkling eyes and a mischievous smile, always ready to share his curious mind and adventurous spirit. He was an inspiration to others, quick to recognize those who went before him, and expressing gratitude for all he'd been given. He was a gentle man, in every sense.
Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery with full military funeral honors with escort.
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