MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- The room was filled with silence as friends, coworkers and family arrived at the Chaplain Joseph W. Estabrook Chapel Oct. 24, 2014 to pay tribute to the life of Chief Warrant Officer 3 John B. “Jack” Johnson who died Oct. 16, 2014.
Johnson most recently served as the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear defense officer for Marine Aircraft Group 24.
“Through the silence you could feel an overpowering feeling of sorrow,” said Sarah Fisher, a friend of Jack’s. “It’s hard to believe he is actually gone. He will never be forgotten.”
The U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Woodwind Quintet began to play a chaconne as Jack’s loved ones waited for the memorial to begin. Marines who have been influenced by Johnson stood at a podium near the altar to share their memories of him.
“When he would introduce himself: ‘Hi, Jack Johnson, you know like the one in the Bible,’” said Col. Mike E. Watkins, commanding officer of MAG-24. “I’m not a biblical scholar but there isn’t a Jack Johnson in the bible.” — the crowd laughs.
Johnson, A Kansas City, Mo., native, started his Marine Corps career in July 1991 as a mortarman. He has held many billets including, an active-duty recruiter and career planner. His personal decorations include The Navy and Marine Commendation Medal with three gold stars, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one gold star, a Good Conduct medal with two bronze stars. His service awards include a Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and the Nato Medal – ISAF Afghanistan.
Although each Marine had different experiences with Johnson, they each could agree on one thing … he will be missed.
With a smile on her face, Sgt. Abigail Moore, a Marine of his, said one of her most memorable memories of Johnson was how he always had a gazillion stories to share.
“One day he came out of his office around 3:30 p.m. and told us to go home and then returned back to his office,” Moore said. “We started closing down the office and he came back out and started telling us a story — so we sat down. He started telling story, after story, after story, when we finally left the office to go home it was around 7 p.m.”
Three noncommissioned officers all agreed he kept a positive vibe in the office even in negative situations.
Whether your cat died, or you were just having a bad day, he would find a way to give the situation a positive outlook, said Cpl. Javier Cardenas, one of his Marines.
Jack is survived by his mother Ardyce Brown, sons Matthew and Jase, daughter Tiana, and the mother of his children, Tina Johnson.
Watkins added that Marines sometimes have to say “goodbye” to their comrades, but they will never forget them.