2022 Honorees of the U.S. Army Chemical Corps

By Ms. Christy L. Lindberg

Article published on: January 1, 2026 in the 2023 Annual Issue of the Army Chemical Review

Read Time: < 9 mins

Sergeant First Class Jeremiah Johnson (Pictured Left) and Sergeant Major William A. Jackson (Retired) (Pictured Right)

Hall of Fame Inductee

The U.S. Army Chemical Corps Hall of Fame award is the highest form of recognition offered by the Regiment. This coveted award honors those who have made landmark contributions to the overall history and traditions of the Chemical Corps. These individuals have distinguished themselves through advances in science and technology, a lifetime of service and dedication to the Corps, or gallentry in battle. One individual—Sergeant First Class Jeremiah Johnson—was inducted into the Hall of Fame in June 2022.

Sergeant First Class Jeremiah Johnson

Jeremiah Johnson, who was born in North Carolina, loved his Family, country, and friends. Known as a hardworking man of many talents, he enjoyed riding and working on motorcycles, forging, customizing knives, smoking cigars and pipes, and spending time outdoors with his Family. Jeremiah owned a small business; but in 2007, he answered the call to serve his Nation. He became a loyal and devoted Soldier.

After attending one-station unit training as a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 74D–Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Specialist at the home of the U.S. Army Chemical Corps, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Johnson was assigned to the 181st Chemical Company, 2d Chemical Battalion, Fort Hood, Texas. He also served as a chemical operations noncommissioned officer (NCO) with the 22d Chemical Battalion, Aberdeen Prov-ing Ground, Maryland, and deployed to Jordan.

In 2015, the United States and Niger signed a military agreement committing the two countries to work together in the fight against terrorism. Sergeant Johnson deployed to Ni-ger as a chemical operations NCO/site exploitation specialist with the 14th Chemical Recon-naissance Detachment, assigned to the 3d Special Forces Group (Airborne), which supported Special Forces Operational Detachment–Alpha 3212 (ODA 3212) during Operation Juniper Shield. U.S. Army Special Forces personnel repeatedly trained Nigerian armed forces person-nel to assist in the fight against terrorist operations launched from neighboring countries.

On 4 October 2017, while the 14th Chemical Reconnaissance Detachment was advising the Nigerien Special Reconnaissance Battalion, the detachment conducted a mounted reconnais-sance patrol through the Tillaberi Region of Niger. Upon return to the base, the eight-vehicle convoy was ambushed by Islamic State of the Greater Sahara armed militants. During the attack, Sergeant Johnson repeatedly exposed himself to intense enemy fire while providing his detachment with cover fire and shuttling ammunition to the gunner. When the detachment was ordered to withdraw, Sergeant Johnson maintained his position, covering the detachment withdrawal until he and a fellow Soldier were overtaken. Had he not remained to cover the withdrawal from the kill zone, he might have survived the engagement. Instead, pinned down by the enemy, his actions tragically led to his death—but enabled his teammates to survive.

For his courageous actions, Sergeant Johnson was posthumously promoted to sergeant first class and awarded the Bronze Star with “V” device, the Purple Heart, and the Meritorious Service Medal. In 2021, in recognition of his courage, service, and sacrifice while fighting and serving with the Soldiers of ODA 3212, Sergeant First Class Johnson was named an honorary Green Beret, making him one of only 13 recipients recognized with this prestigious honor since the creation of the Special Forces in 1963. At the ceremony, Lieutenant General Francis M. Beaudette, commanding general of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, stated, “These men [Sergeant First Class Jeremiah Johnson and Sergeant LaDavid Johnson] represent the very finest our Nation has ever produced, stalwart in their dedication to duty, selfless in every aspect of action and of deed, valorous in the face of overwhelming odds and danger, and committed to freeing the oppressed.”1And according to Major General Patrick B. Roberson, “Jeremiah’s ac-tions and service were in the full keeping of the Special Forces motto, ‘De Oppresso Liber’—To Free the Oppressed.”2In 2022, in further testament to his heroic actions, Sergeant First Class Jeremiah Johnson’s Bronze Star with “V” device was upgraded to the Silver Star. It is an honor to add Sergeant First Class Johnson’s name to the Chemical Corps Hall of Fame roll, where his devotion and service serve as an example for past, current, and future Dragon Soldiers to remember and emulate.

Distinguished Member of the Corps Inductee

The award of Distinguished Member of the Corps signifies that an individual has not only contributed a lifetime of ser-vice to the Chemical Corps, but also continues to support the Chief of Chemical in implementing the Corps vision. Beyond the normal duties of their post-Service occupation, these individuals have exhibited altruistic and philanthropic qualities for the benefit of the Corps and the Nation. One individual—Sergeant Major William A. Jackson (Retired)—was inducted into the Distinguished Member of the Corps in June 2022.

Sergeant Major William A. Jackson (Retired)

William A. Jackson was born and raised in Oakland, California. His parents instilled in him a strong faith and work ethic that inspired him to serve his community and his Nation. He entered the Army in 1977 and served as a chemical and infantry Soldier for more than 30 years. He filled various positions, from CBRN staff NCO to Chemical Corps Sergeant Major. Before activation of the 23d Chemical Battalion, Joint Base Lewis-McCord, Washington, Jackson served as a senior enlisted advisor to the 11th and 12th Chemical Companies.

Upon retirement, Sergeant Major Jackson continued to emphasize the develop-ment of others by participating in speaking engagements for the local equal oppor-tunity office and for graduates of NCO Academy Enlisted Professional Military Edu-cation Leadership Courses. He also volunteered at the Madigan Army Community Center, serving on the Patient and Family Advocacy Council, where he worked to improve the patient and Family health care experience. In addition, Jackson also collaborated with the Chemical Corps Regimental Association (CCRA), Fort Leon-ard Wood, Missouri; CBRN leaders; and I Corps to establish the Pacific Northwest Regimental Week (including the CBRN Ball)—an annual event since 2003. His efforts successfully impacted the partnership amongst tenant units that has been sustained throughout decades of leadership turnover and increased the awareness of CBRN his-tory and readiness.

Sergeant Major Jackson (Retired) continues his dedication to the communities in the area of Joint Base Lewis-McCord, Lacey, and Olympia, Washington. He has brought the local CBRN community together through his volunteer work that has generated multiple fundraising activities, including annual golf scrambles and a scav-enger hunt at the Fort Lewis Museum. Sergeant Major Jackson also played an inte-gral role in the installation—and, now, continual maintenance of—the Purple Smoke Tree Memorial, including a dedication plaque to the Chemical Corps, at the Fort Lewis Museum. He holds a board position at the Seattle and American Lake Veteran Administration Hospital, Tacoma, Wash-ington, where he continues to support veterans as a patient advocate. He serves as the editor for the 1st Cavalry Soldiers newsletter; vice president at an all-volunteer Amtrak Station in Olympia; and an ambassador for the U.S. Cyber Mission, supporting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics activities.

Sergeant Major Jackson (Retired) has followed his 30-year military career by dedicating his free time to serving the Joint Base Lewis-McCord community, the Chemical Corps, and the CBRN enterprise. His goodwill and honesty make him deserv-ing of the Distinguished Member of the Corps award.

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