Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, First Lieutenant Gordon Johnston received the Medal of Honor for his actions on March 7, 1906 in Mount Bud Dajo, Jolo, Philippine Islands during the Philippine Insurrection. At the time he was serving with U.S. Signal Corps. Johnston was 31 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of Colonel.
Johnston was born on May 25, 1874 in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. His Medal of Honor is credited to Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama. Johnston died on March 8, 1934 in Ft. Sam Houston, Texas, at the age of 59. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. His medal is held by Princeton University Library, Princeton, NJ.
Johnston is one of 82 Medal of Honor recipients from the Philippine Insurrection and one of 21 credited to Alabama.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Voluntarily took part in and was dangerously wounded during an assault on the enemy's works.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
How he died
- Manner of death: accidental death
- Cause of death: horse fall
- Age at death: 59
- Resting place: Arlington National Cemetery
Cause and manner of death: Wikidata.
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Gordon Johnston received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War I, Spanish–American War.
Life beyond the battlefield
- Occupations: polo player
- Education: Princeton University
Source: Wikidata.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Alabama →
Timeline
- May 25, 1874Born in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
- March 7, 1906Act of valor — Mount Bud Dajo, Jolo, Philippine IslandsAge 31. U.S. Signal Corps
- March 8, 1934Died in Ft. Sam Houston, TexasAge 59.
- Resting placeArlington National CemeteryArlington, Virginia
Biography
Gordon Johnston (May 25, 1874 – March 8, 1934) was an American soldier, Medal of Honor recipient and football player and coach. He played at the tackle position for Princeton University and served as the head coach of the University of North Carolina football team in 1896. He served as an officer in the United States Army during the Spanish–American War, the Philippine–American War and World War I, and received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Philippine–American War.
From the Wikipedia article “Gordon Johnston (soldier)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →