He was accepted to Cal Poly University, but decided that the Army was right for him at that time. He enlisted to receive the money for school that veterans receive upon discharge. He went into the 101st Airborne Division, and then the infantry. At this time he met his first wife Christy, and was married in Louisiana. His first child was born soon after.
He became an M.P. while stationed in Kansas. That is when he decided to apply for the Special Forces. With a lot of work he passed the training, and was accepted into the Special Forces. He was involved in an automobile accident sustaining a severe shoulder injury soon after his acceptance and prior to the beginning of training. While recovering and waiting for further surgeries his first marriage ended.
A year and a half after his accident he was re-stationed in Fort Bragg, NC. He reached his goal of being a part of the Special Forces. He then married his second wife Vanessa. They have two children together.
After completing years of training he became a Medic in the Special Forces. The tours he completed were in Columbia and Nicaragua. In November of 2004, he was shipped to Afghanistan. While serving there he attended and graduated from Campbell University with a Bachelors Degree in Natural Sciences. After another tour of duty, he had planned to attend Duke University in order to become a Reconstructive Surgeon in the Army.
He was killed in action on April 26, 2005 in Khanaqin, Afghanistan. Allen was buried in the Los Molinos, California cemetery on Highway 99E. Allen’s parents still live in Los Molinos. His parents are Adriaantje and Ray Johnson. Ray adopted Allen at the age of four. Allen is also survived by his widow and three children. Allen was the best he could be and lived life “All the Way.” He died for the love of his country and to keep freedom alive.
Posthumous Awards
A Memorial Service in honor of Allen Johnson was held at Fort Bragg, NC on May 12, 2005. Page includes pictures.