By Corey Cole
The Sulphur Public Schools we would like to introduce and honor one of our Hometown Heroes, Mr. James Terry Johnson
Johnson was joined on the court to be honored by his wife, Carolynn, and family members BJ and Jennifer Johnson and their children, Brycelynn, Brialey, and Remington also Boone and Lauren Johnson and their children Kenleigh and Addison.
James Terry Johnson was born to James Alton and Vera Johnson at Wynnewood, Oklahoma on August 16, 1947. He lived on the Johnson Farm near Woodland, Oklahoma with his extended family until 1957. After the loss of his father, the family moved to Davis where Terry attended Davis Schools.
At the age of 19, Terry joined the United States Marine Corps. He received basic training and sniper training at Camp Pendleton. He was dispatched to Viet Nam in early 1968.
Corporal Johnson was wounded in action twice. His awards include: Silver Star, Bronze Star with Combat V, two Purple Hearts, Navy Commendation, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.
One of his greatest personal honors was as the leader of a squad of young Marines. Their primary job was to run night recon patrols in the area bordering Laos and North Viet Nam. Their objective was to locate and engage the enemy until a larger reaction force could be mobilized.
Terry’s squad collectively received the following military commendations: 1 Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars, 1 Navy Commendation Medal, 11 Purple Hearts, 3 Vietnamese Crosses of Gallantry, 1 Presidential Unit Citation. Corporal Johnson was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in June 1973.
Terry is a member of local organizations such as Arbuckle Historic Society, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, Murray County Cattlemen’s Association, DAV, American Legion Post 148, Sulphur Chamber of Commerce, Sulphur Masonic Lodge 144, and is a member of the Sulphur First Freewill Baptist Church.
He was honored in 2010 by being listed in the Southwest Military Hall of Fame at Ardmore, Oklahoma. He is also listed in the National Military Order of the Purple Heart. Other organizations which Terry vigorously supports are the NRA, Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association and Wounded Warriors. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame in 2016.
Currently, Terry and his family operate the Long Johnson Ranch and various oilfield service companies near Sulphur.