21, of Levittown, Pennsylvania.
Johnson was riding in a HMMWV when he was hit with an improvised explosive device in Mosul, Iraq. Johnson was assigned to C Company, 501st Signal Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Died on November 1, 2003.
Please send information, photos, and corrections for Army Spc. Maurice J. Johnson.
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"MoJo every Memorial Day I change my picture on Facebook to you in your Red shirt for your honor. And I explain how a good person you were. Thank you. I know Robert must still do the same. If in 2019 I had something to say to you you it would be. I love you big bro, where's the music, and are you sure you want to race me.. I'm a female. Thanks for being whom you are still Mojo!"
Tamara D Hunter-Kendrick of Copperas Cove TX
"Mojo! SPC Johnson. You're on my mind tonight. I miss you my friend. I pray for you and your family. And I think about your daughter's Mom and your daughter a lot. I hope she knows what a brave man you there and the good times there.Bro in that time you were still funny. In that time you still danced. When we talked about T&F you understood. MoJo Bro your missed on that day and more others than you know."
Tam of TX
"From one soldier to another, thank you for serving. Thank you for the courage you displayed the day you decided to signed the contract. The courage you displayed, raising you right hand and taking an oath to protect this country against enemies foreign and domestic. The courage you displayed as you waved goodbye to your family & friends. Although you're gone the memory of your courage will live on."
Bblopez of Springfield, MA
"God bless and thank you. The title is from what he told his uncle, recounted in the Daily News at his passing. Hope you may enjoy. --Best Regards, David Blanchard
Come Back a Man
Soldier, this time let the bugle provide your cover
Against the dogs, the rice-burners in the distance,
The trucks on 95; others still, too, hover
Awaiting ground to be gained; if in this instance
They have cleared the way for you
It’s simply their turn. Call it an old score settled, too
A fair sea today of red white and blue/
An exchange of gifts: yours, and what we/
Would offer: the Bronze Star, posthumously/
For meritorious service; a blue ribbon then
For the high school athlete, now all- American
Against what potent dream were made unreal
The slavish demands Old Glory makes/
Upon her favorites; a prima-donna, she;
Rigorous, each; if now she aches,/
Now drapes herself upon you, as her proud appeal
Competes against the noisy town you knew--
Stronghold of the land of the free.
Bristol, Bristol; the bugler waves, imperceptibly
Lifts up your name for a moment now, in the simple, sad melody.
In memory of Pvt. Maurice J. Johnson, 101st Airborne.
© Dave Blanchard Philadelphia, PA
Db.59@live.com"
Dave Blanchard of Philadelphia
"Johnson not a day goes by that I don't think about what a great friend more so a brother you were to me I love you and miss you so much and can't wait till we meet again."
Shantell Scott of Lubbock, Tx
"I am with VFW Post 175 - Doylestown PA. We are in the process of building a Memorial to Maurice and the 20 other souls from Bucks County PA lost in The Global War on Terrorism.
We are having difficulty obtaining information AND IMPORTANTLY A PHOTO (high resolution) to be used in the Memorial.
WE WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR CONTACTING US IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT MAURICE AND PARTICULARLY A PHOTO.
I can be reached at richgscott@gmail.com or by phone at 215 512 5300
You may view the Memorial Project at
www.bucksGWOT.org
Actually, Maurice's picture appears on that page as a thumbnail to our video.
Thank you in advance,"
Rich Scott of Doylestown, PA
"I just want to thank everyone for their kind words. it has been almost 11 years since his death. I am his neice, Yes kiesha is my mom. And i again thank all of you deeply. if you want to get in touch with me than just email me at niyah711@gmail.com or taniyahjohnson711@gmail.com ."
Ta'Niyah Johnson of Snellville,Georgia
"RIP My Fellow Soldier"
Webster of 141 Signal Battalion Wiesbaden Germany
"Maurice,
I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy. After reading the messages left here for you all I can say is that I wish I had had the honor of serving with you when I was in the Military.
Air Assault!"
"Johnson,
I can remember Nov 1, 2003 just like it was yesterday. Standing in formation with the rest of the company as we heard the news from 1SG Danko, I felt my heart shatter. My heart still hurts at the loss of one of our very best. You were not only an amazing soldier, but an equally amazing person as well. Thank you for your sacrifice. This weekend I will celebrate your life, and the freedom you died to protect. It was an honor and a pleasure to know and serve with you. Gone, but NEVER forgotten."
SGT Tammy Schumacher (Heilman) of Holstein, IA (FEP sister-in-arms)
"SPC Johnson was a friend of mine. We served together in C-Co 501st Signal BN, 101st Airborn Division. As a Signal Soldier of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), you could not ask for a better embodiment of dedication and professionalism. His physical fitness was superb, uniform always sharp...a true credit to those who helped SPC Johnson develop as a human being and his brave service to the U.S. Army. I stood up for SPC Johnson a year before we deployed to Kuwait during an ugly, racist incident brought on by higher ranking NCOs and defended by junior officers (finally put down by the Battalion Commander, CSM Hill, and General Petraeus). I was about 26, he was 19. I made sure that in LIFE his sacrifices were given their proper respects. I am glad that I did when he was alive because death should not be the only time when soldiers' sacrifices are revered. If his daughter sees this message, please know that your father was a good and smart man from my estimation. He frequently borrowed my math books to study on his own. Take care, and may the Lord bless you in all of your days."
A. E. R. of West Chester, PA
"To the famil of Specialist Maurice Johnson:
Please know that your loved one was remembered individually by my family at the Memorial Day Services at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery in Lehighton PA.
We are so appreciative of your sacrifice and we pray that God bless you all always!"
The Aaron Family of Lehighton, PA
"Its been over seven years and you are dearly missed. I still have our emails saved to a folder on my email account. I just read them and got teary eyed. You were such a loving, gentle and special person with a big heart.
R.I.P SPC Maurice...."
Tiffany Gates of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii
"Does anyone know how to get a hold of his sister? I have a drawn picture of maurice to send her. crystal_durso@yahoo.com"
Crystal Durso of Fort Campbell
"Wow, seven years. I still miss you brother."
Akey of DC
"There is not a day that goes by comrade that you are not missed. My prayers are with your family and now you have your heavenly wings with GOD above. Air Assault my fallen comrade and brother in arms!!!!
(EMS 501st SIG BN) 01-04"
SFC Anthony L. Beverley of Fredericksburg, VA
"It's been 7 years brother and you're always in my heart. We miss ya and just know that I'll always remember you."
Anthony Hinkle (C Co., 501st Signal BN.) of Williamsburg, KY
"Maurice, You are constantly on my mind and will always be the brother I never had. I remember all of our good times together in Korea and Fort Polk, LA. As the years pass by thoughts of my close friend will never fade. You are the reason I serve our country. GOD BLESS"
SSG Domonick Stewart of Jonesboro, LA USA
""To the family of Maurice J. Johnson ,I am so sorry for the loss of your love one.He died a hero.May you know the peace and understanding that only comes from God. Hopefully we will all meet in Heaven one day where we will rest in the arms of Jesus. If you need someone to pray with you or talk to please call or write my pastor at Gateway Community Church,Rev John B Pearrell 11677 Brown Bridge Rd. Covington Ga. 30016 phone 770-787-1015""
"Mojo,
I was able to visit the Memorial at Arlington National Cemetary while all the pictures were still on display. I cried unabashedly when I saw your picture. You were too young, but in your short time you touched the lives of many. Air Assault, Voice of The Eagle and RIP soldier."
FEP alum of Ft. Campbell, KY
"I was privileged to be Maurice's platoon leader for almost exactly 1 year. I remember that he was mostly quiet but then he would say the most hilarious things and have everyone rolling with laughter. Everyone liked him and he was a Soldier I could count on when things got rough. The mission he was doing everyday before he died was very important but also dangerous. He would ride into Mosul everyday and provide communication support at the mayor's office and come back with amazing stories of riots and protests and things that happened during his day. After several months, I remember talking to him about switching out into an easier job but he told me he loved what he was doing and didn't want to change. He was very brave and believed in what he was doing. Most of all, I remember Maurice as a great person who did great things and it is an honor to have known him."
CPT Jim Lacovara of Ithaca, NY
"On this day I remember my beloved brother. Maurice I will always love and remember you. I promise that your neices and nephews will learn what you stood for and why you died. luv ya Mojo."
Keisha of Snellville,Ga
"November 2, 2008
To the family of Spc. Maurice J. Johnson:
Maurice gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org"
Peggy Childers of Carson City, NV
"RIP Maurice, I love you and you will forever be in my heart. I thank God for blessing me with a beautiful daughter who looks and acts just like you."
Iesha of Shreveport, LA
"SPC Johnson was a great person, it did not take long to realize the potential, SPC Johnson had. Johnson had God's gift of happiness, he was always smiling and spreading the same happiness to everyone. I only knew SPC Johnson for eight months before he was killed, however since then and 3 deployments later, very few days go by that I don't find myself remembering him. That was the effect he had on me, and I'm sure that was the effect he had on everyone he met. GOD BLESS YOU, YOU ARE AN AMERICAN HERO!!, I WILL NEVER FORGET!!"
CW2 Jeremy Cissell of KIRKUK, IRAQ
"Maurice Jerome Johnson, aka. "J-Boogie". There's so much to say about him, I don't know where to start. We experienced a lot during his time in the 501st Signal BN, from road trips to see his new born baby girl, to being stranded at Campbell cause Kendrick took Hunter's car to Ohio...lol. I still wonder what would have happened if SFC Patmon(now) would have let us switch, and you went to Turkey instead of me. We got into so much * at the CMOCC, it wasn't no way he was keeping Kendrick, you, and me together. No matter how much * we got into, the one thing that "J-Boogie" had on all of us was focus. He had a plan for his life and family, and had everything in order. You couldn't tell by looking at him, because everything we got into. If you actually knew J, and took the time sit and hold a conversation with him, he would have you evaluting your whole life's purpose. I just wanna say I mss you kid...catch you on the other side. Holla at ya boy boy!!!"
SGT Ian Davenport (DP) of Ft Campbell, KY (Baghram Air Base, Afghanistan)
"Hey "J Boogie", it has been five years now, but it seem like yesterday. I miss you alot. Remember how you used to make me laugh and when we were in Iraq you had me order all those cds off of Amazon. Your favorite was Snoop Dog, "Paid Da Cost To Be The Bost--- "Ballin" feat/ The Dramatics. You always found a way to cheer me up and I appreciated your friendship so much. I miss you but I know your watching over all of us. By the way, you see me doing my Drill Sergeant thing.... (Smile) You always said I was short and MEAN... Miss you."
DS Crystal Triplett of Fort Jackson, SC
"i went to st mark's school with maurice i am saddened by your loss and will always remember him"
rob melling of bristol pa usa
"I too am from Levittown. I would like to get in touch with his family. They have moved down South. I am an Elk and on June 10th the Medal of Valor will be presented to the families of four of our local hero's who were taken from us all to soon. Maurice, you have touched many lives and I thank you.
If anyone can get me information on the family please, please contact me at PKSGRAM@AOL.COM"
Patti Burns Schreiber of Levittown, PA
"Spc. Maurice Johnson died in the name of freedom and for that he will always be remembered."
Sgt. Wolfanger, Douglas J (Fellow 501st soldier) of Murfreesboro, TN
"Still in my thoughts...you were a great friend Johnson."
Spc. Zachary Akey of Orlando, FL.
"Specialist Maurice Johnson - was a great quiet professional. SPC Johnson was a soldier of mine in Iraq. I changed command shortly before he died. Not a day goes by that I don't think about you Maurice. You are the reason I continue to push myself and train soldiers. You were a great soldier. A role model in our company. You are missed and will never be forgotten."
MAJ Pete Wilson of Lewiston, New York
"Johnson,
You're in my prayers."
Sholom Keller of Boston, MA
"Maurice Johnson
This document was written by Maurice’s third grade teacher shortly after his death.
As an elementary school principal and former third grade teacher, I used to leave foreign policy opinions to others. I’d put my faith in the collective wisdom of our leaders in Washington and go with the flow. But that was before one of my former third graders died recently in Iraq.
His name was Maurice Johnson, and he had long-since grown up and joined the military, to protect, among others, the teachers who had guided him through his early years. But I still see him as a student in my class, still a third grader. He wore a different uniform then, dark pants, powder blue shirt, dark clip-on tie. If this story were fiction I might say that he was at the top of his class, or that he was a difficult student who turned around because of my efforts, but neither would be true. He was simply a nice, well-adjusted, average little boy, who smiled a lot, did most of his work and got along just fine with his peers. He came from a nice family. Maurice’s older sister Keisha was my son’s classmate and I remember decorating the school gym with Maurice’s mother and other parents in preparation for their eighth grade graduation party. We laughed a lot as we worked. It was a happy time.
Sometime after Maurice left our school my memory of him blended into the long list of former students every teacher has. At times one’s memory of past students becomes fuzzy until something happens to bring them back into focus. Sometimes the recollection comes in the form of a visit, or a note, or a faculty room announcement from a proud colleague who has heard some good news.
This time, recollection came in the form of a newspaper headline, TRUMAN GRAD KILLED IN IRAQ. It was the type of story we seem to have gotten used to, only the hometown of the victim is usually in some far away place. As such announcements become more commonplace, they seem to capture less of our attention. We tend to see them as facts rather than as the devastating personal tragedy each one represents. Such depersonalization is an inexcusable, but realistic result of the emotional barriers we build to protect us from a world seemingly filled with bad news. But this was not a victim from Nebraska or Alabama. This was Maurice Johnson, a Bristol Township resident and former member of the St. Mark School family of students. While the other stories were sad, this was heartbreaking.
The paper said that 139 soldiers have died since the hostilities were declared over. 139 families, 139 communities, 139 elementary schools and 139 former third grade teachers across this country have felt the loss we in Lower Bucks County felt last week. I’m keenly aware now of what I wouldn’t or couldn’t allow myself to feel earlier; there are no far away places, and every loss is personal.
I know it is necessary to place these young people in danger, if not in Iraq, then someplace else. I know there are evil forces that would do us harm at any opportunity. But from now on, as a citizen and a voter, I’ll be following the news much more closely. I’m part of this war, whether I choose to be or not. We all are.
God bless Maurice Johnson and his family.
Karen Pezza is Principal of St. Mark Catholic School in Bristol Borough."
Karen Pezza of St. Mark School, Bristol, PA
"He will be remembered always by his his grade school friends at St. Mark Catholic School."
Bristol Boro of Bristol, PA
"I offer my condolances to all of Maurice's family and friends. My boyfriend is currently serving in Iraq, and his best friend, Neil Santoriello, was killed in Iraq just a couple months ago. I understand that no words can take away the pain of your loss, but I wanted to share a thought with you all. I actually stumbled upon this website looking for information about St. Maurice, the patron saint of infantry soldiers. I am sure St. Maurice made sure Maurice was greeting with open arms into heaven. When I pray to St. Maurice and God, I will certainly always iclude all of you - along with all the loved ones of fallen soldiers"
Demetra of Pittsburgh, PA
"We are so sorry for your loss. We lost Army Spc.Joshua Justice Henry on 9-20-04. This was the hardest day of our lives. We honor these guys as our Heroes and hope no one else has to go through with what we are all dealing with. Rest in peace Maurice, and thank you for serving your country to the fullest"
Henry family of Vandergrift , PA
"Hey Maurice,
I hope you're not having too much fun. I'll see you when I get there."
Dan Johnston of Bristol, Pa USA
"I taught Maurice (and Keisha and Joshua) at St. Mark Grade School. I can only echo what everyone else has written: he was a great kid. The world suffered a terrible loss on November 1, 2003. I pray for strength for the family he left behind."
Jo Ann Johnston of Bristol, PA
"Mo, I just wanted to salute you for taking the oath to defend our Constitution. We are from different eras, but we share "101st Espirit de Corp", service in a war , and our hometown. Thank you, My Brother.
Bill Perry, A/1/506 Parachute Inf. Regmt, 101st AIRBORNE Div, Viet Nam, '67-'68"
Bill Perry of Levittown, Pa
"Bless your family
I too am from levittown and i serve...
111th security forces sq."
Tom of Levittown, pa
"Specialist Johnson, goodbye soldier and thank you. You are my hero."
Bill of Houston, Texas
"I attended St. Mark grade school with Maurice, riding the bus with him everyday for 4 years. He was such a sweet, quiet, loving person. I was shocked and saddened to know that the world lost such a great young man. My heart goes out to his family,especially his sister, Keisha and his brothers Joshua and Abdul. We will never forget!"
Colleen of Levittown, PA
"To Spc Johnson's Family:
Though we are strangers, we want you to know how sorry we are your Maurice was taken from you. He is our hero. We will never forget. You are in our hearts."
Carol & Larry Miller of Tampa, Florida (2/24/04)
"We Will NEVER FORGET !"
Please KNOW so many people share your sadness, and we are remembering your family in your loss and your deep grief. Your HERO, Maurice, will be remembered by name. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless you. Pat & Sandi Breckenridge from Montana "
"Maurice will be missed. His sacrifice will not be forgotten and my prayers go out to his loved ones. I met this wonderfully humble soldier while he was stationed at Fort Campbell and I can honestly say that the world has suffered a great loss. What I remember most about him was his shy demeanor and his warm smile. We must all remember that he is not gone, he has just moved on to a better place; the problem is that he moved on much to soon. My prayers are with his family and I can proudly say that the day I met him, I met a hero. God bless the Johnson family."
Laurie Cannady of Indiana, PA
"My deepest sympathy. I'm doing a report on Maurice for my class so if anyone has any more info, please contact me at babycakescb1@hotmail.com"
Jessica M of Morgan Hill, CA/USA
"Thank you Maurice Johnson, you will not be forgotten. Your bravery goes beyond words. I want to express my deepest gratitude for your sacrifice. To the family and friends, my prayers and deep condolences in your loss. May God strengthen you from knowing that fellow Americans and people around the world care about you and grieve with you in your loss. God bless you all. A very appreciative fellow American,"
Leo Titus of Grayslake, Illinios
"To the family and friends of Spc. Maurice Johnson:
May God's grace be with you during your time of grief. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and we feel your loss and share in your sorrow. Bless Maurice for the sacrifice he has made to make a better life for the rest of us."
The Ford Family of Wells, Nevada
"To the family and friends of Spc. Maurice Johnson:
I am saddened by the loss of your loved one. He will always be remembered as a hero for fighting for freedom. I hope that this website will be a source of comfort and encouragement for you during this difficult time, and in the future as you recall the memories of Maurice, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia