Special Forces Association
Chapter 89

Memorial service honors fallen Special Forces medic

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, May 13, 2005) – A memorial service here May 12 honored a Special Forces medic who was killed in action in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Approximately 200 family members, friends and brothers-in-arms paid their respects to Sgt. 1st Class Allen C. Johnson at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Chapel.

Johnson, a Special Forces medical sergeant assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), was fatally wounded during an attack in Afghanistan.

He was 31 years old.

"Allen was a beloved teammate, father and husband," said Lt. Col. James E. Kraft, battalion commander, 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group. "He knew his duty to the mission and to his teammates on his left and right."

Warrant Officer Daniel Carlson, a teammate of Johnson, reminisced about his "best friend in the Army."

"Allen was one who always enjoyed his family," Carlson said. "Our families shared July 4th together, and eat barbeque chicken with Allen’s famous barbeque sauce. He would never miss an invitation from friends."

Carlson also said Johnson was an accomplished medical sergeant. Twice, Johnson provided medical attention to Carlson.

A native of Los Molinos, Calif., Johnson entered the Army in October 1991 as an infantryman. After completing infantry and airborne training at Fort Benning, Ga., in February 1992, he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Lewis, Wash.

Johnson arrived at the 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne) in April 2000 to begin the more than two years of intense training it would take for him to become a Special Forces medical sergeant.

The ceremony began with the playing of the "National Anthem," followed by Invocation, Scripture Reading and Commander's Tribute.

During the ceremony, bagpiper John Ewell played renditions of "Amazing Grace," and "Ballad of the Green Beret."

Then per military custom, The Last Roll Call was held, followed by Firing of Volleys, Sounding of Taps, Benediction, and Postlude.

Allen Johnson team. Allen is in the back row in the black watch cap.

**Information from SFAHQ.com, The Department of Defense, USASOC used in this Article.

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Allen's Biography

SF Condolences Book

Memorial Service Images

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