Robert H. "Bob" Johnson
Robert H. (Bob) Johnson lived in Templeton, Iowa and enlisted in the U.S. Navy after high school on July 2, 1965. He went to boot camp in San Diego, California. After boot camp he went to the fleet as a Seaman and was assigned to the USS Porterfield (DD-682). The Porterfield was a 2100 ton Fletcher-class WW2 era destroyer with a main battery of 5 5-inch 38 guns, hedge hogs, 6 torpedo tubes, along with depth charge tracks and projectors. He changed his rate to FN and started working as an Interior Communications Electrician. He made 3 cruises to the Western Pacific in 1966, 1967, and lastly in 1968-69. While on those tours his ship provided gunfire support for Allied and U.S. troops and plane guard duties for carrier groups off the coast of Vietnam.
Bob was discharged on June 26, 1969 as an IC3 and then moved to Omaha, Nebraska where he worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. for the next 38 years. His family includes wife Kay, son Brian (Emily), daughter Erin Hausman (Matt) and grandchildren Tyson, Ava, and Mathilda. Bob is proud of his service and grateful for the friendships he made while serving in the Navy and continues to maintain today with his former shipmates.
