Colonel Gordon Johnston with 3rd class Sacred Treasure order, 5th class Rising Sun order and Republic of China 4th class Golden Grain order.
Gordon Johnston (May 25, 1874 – March 8) Gordon Johnston was the son of Confederate General Robert Daniel Johnston and the philanthropist, Elizabeth Johnston Evans Johnston. After graduating from Birmingham High School, Johnston enrolled at Princeton University in New Jersey. In 1898, Johnston enlisted in the United States Army to fight in the Spanish–American War, serving in Cuba with the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, better known as the Rough Riders. After a brief return to civilian life, he was offered a commission as a second lieutenant in the Army in 1899 on the recommendation of Theodore Roosevelt.
Johnston was posted to the Philippines where he served with the 43rd Infantry Regiment in the Philippine-American War. On February 1, 1900, Johnston's actions as the leader of a small detachment of scouts was to earn him the nation's second highest award for bravery, the Distinguished Service Cross. The citation states: "... Lieutenant Johnston displayed remarkable gallantry and leadership in charging a greatly superior force of entrenched insurgents in the face of cannon and rifle fire, driving the enemy from their position and capturing the town of Palo."
Johnston returned to the United States, where he was the honor graduate in 1903 from the U.S. Army's infantry and cavalry school. Johnston returned to the Philippines as a first lieutenant in the Signal Corps with the 6th Infantry Regiment. On March 7, 1906, Johnston distinguished himself under heavy fire in the First Battle of Bud Dajo, where he was severely wounded. For his actions in this battle, Johnson received the Medal of Honor.
Johnston went on to lead a distinguished career in the Army. Johnston was to win the Distinguished Service Medal for his work as the chief of staff for the 82nd Infantry Division during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive of World War I. Johnston died in a polo accident at Fort Sam Houston on March 8, 1934.
Johnston was posted to the Philippines where he served with the 43rd Infantry Regiment in the Philippine-American War. On February 1, 1900, Johnston's actions as the leader of a small detachment of scouts was to earn him the nation's second highest award for bravery, the Distinguished Service Cross. The citation states: "... Lieutenant Johnston displayed remarkable gallantry and leadership in charging a greatly superior force of entrenched insurgents in the face of cannon and rifle fire, driving the enemy from their position and capturing the town of Palo."
Johnston returned to the United States, where he was the honor graduate in 1903 from the U.S. Army's infantry and cavalry school. Johnston returned to the Philippines as a first lieutenant in the Signal Corps with the 6th Infantry Regiment. On March 7, 1906, Johnston distinguished himself under heavy fire in the First Battle of Bud Dajo, where he was severely wounded. For his actions in this battle, Johnson received the Medal of Honor.
Johnston went on to lead a distinguished career in the Army. Johnston was to win the Distinguished Service Medal for his work as the chief of staff for the 82nd Infantry Division during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive of World War I. Johnston died in a polo accident at Fort Sam Houston on March 8, 1934.