Harold Keith Johnson
Harold K. Johnson | |
|---|---|
Johnson in 1965 | |
| Nickname(s) | Johnny |
| Born | 22 February 1912 Bowesmont, North Dakota, U.S. |
| Died | 24 September 1983 (aged 71) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1930–1968 |
| Rank | General |
| Unit | Infantry Branch |
| Commands | United States Army Command and General Staff College 8th Infantry Division (acting) 8th Cavalry Regiment 5th Cavalry Regiment 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment 3rd Battalion, 57th Infantry Regiment L Company, 57th Infantry Regiment Headquarters Company, 28th Infantry Regiment M Company, 3rd Infantry Regiment C Company, 3rd Infantry Regiment |
| Battles / wars |
|
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Army Distinguished Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit (4) Bronze Star Medal |
| Alma mater | United States Military Academy United States Army Command and General Staff College Armed Forces Staff College National War College |
Harold Keith Johnson (22 February 1912 – 24 September 1983) was a United States Army general who served as Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1964 to 1968. Regarded as a premier tactician, Johnson became skeptical that the level of resources given to the Vietnam War, much of which went into 'find, fix, and destroy the big main force units' operations, could deliver victory. Johnson came to believe that the Communist forces held a trump card, because they controlled whether there were engagements with U.S. forces, giving an option to simply avoid battle with U.S. forces if the situation warranted it.