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- [S113] Manes Funeral Home, (http://www.manesfuneralhome.com), 22 Jan 2008.
Anna Sue Hartsell Hudson obituary
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 30 Mar 2008.
DARRYL JOHNSON assumed command over Military Police Operations in Western Baghdad and the Al Anbar Provinces
BAGHDAD-Lt. Col. Darryl Johnson, a Cocke County High School 1983 graduate and son of Charles and Carolyn Johnson, Newport, assumed command over Military Police Operations in Western Baghdad and the Al Anbar Provinces January 14, 2008. Johnson is the commander for the 716th Military Police Battalion, 'PEACEKEEPERS,' is currently deployed from their home station of Fort Campbell, KY and home of the headquarters, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), since April 2006. Johnson expects to remain in command through the 15-month deployment and hopes to bring the Battalion back to the United States once the unit's deployment is complete. The PEACEKEEPERS took control of western Baghdad's Iraqi Police training mission from the 92nd Military Police Battalion currently stationed at Fort Hood, TX, during a Transfer of Authority ceremony at Camp Liberty January 14. The TOA and the uncasing ceremony marked the beginning of the latest call to service for the most decorated military police battalion in the world. The mission for the PEACEKEEPERS during its current deployment here is to train Iraqi Police into a competent force capable of providing security for the Iraqi citizens. Encompassed within the unit's mission, the area of responsibility covers the greater part of the capital city of Baghdad, with a population close to seven million people. Additional regions the unit and Johnson are responsible for include the cities and regions of Ramadi, Falujah, and territory to the Syrian border. "Warriors from our unit have fought valiantly in every jungle, on every beach, on every mountain required to defend our great nation," said Lt. Col. Darryl Johnson, commander, 716th Military Police Battalion. "Their performance for the next 15 months in the deserts of Al Anbar and the streets of Baghdad will be no different." Normally assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, the 716th MP Battalion is commanded and controlled under the 18th Military Police Brigade, home station from Mannheim, Germany while deployed to Iraq. Johnson is responsible for eight subordinate companies to include an Air Force Security Forces Detachment and over 1300 soldiers and airmen. "The unit's formation brings a new challenge to the battalion," said Johnson. "Our headquarters must now command, control, and support an unprecedented number of subordinate units and area not typical to a normal doctrinal set." Johnson also said that his soldiers understand the importance of this mission and will work to help set the stage for an Iraqi police force that will assume the lead for domestic security. Johnson understands that he has many leaders and soldiers under his command to assist him in carrying out this mission, but his leadership traits are what set the tone for the successful accomplishment of this mission. When Lt/Col Johnson talks about his military career, he tends to minimize his almost 21 years of service which began after his 1987 graduation from college and his commissioning through the ROTC program. Throughout his time in the military, Johnson has been stationed in Germany, Ft. Hood, TX, Ft. McClelland, AL, Seoul, Korea, Ft. Leavenworth, KS, Kosovo, Southwest Asia, and Ft. Campbell, KY. His military responsibilities have assigned him into key leadership positions up to his current rank of Lt/Col with primarily tactical units and in the area of anti-terrorism and physical security. Most recently Lt/Col Johnson served as Director of Emergency Services at Ft. Campbell, where he managed the law enforcement, fire protection, and installation of security programs. His deployment to Iraq is the fifth in his military career, the others being to Kosovo and three previous assignments to Iraq, including the Gulf War in 1991. He has 21 years of military service, but when speaking, tells listeners that one of his "claims to fame" is the fact that he is a "true Tennessean," in reference to the fact that he was born and reared in the state as opposed to many of the soldiers assigned to Ft. Campbell and living on the Tennessee side of the TN/KY border. Johnson also prides himself on his "Tennessee public education," counting his CCHS background and 1987 undergraduate degree from UT-K as crucial steps in his career. He also earned his Master's degree from Jacksonville State University in Alabama. He recalls with love his grandparents, the late Carl and Sue Hudson, the late Magdaline Bryant, and the late Clarence Dunn. He is the brother of Jennie Dunn, Newport. Johnson says, "My family started me off right" by instilling in him the key elements he feels "make a good man"-be a good citizen, a good Christian, a good husband, and a good father." In reference to his work in Iraq, Johnson quickly expresses his pride in his unit and all the military service members serving in Iraq. He also points out the difference they have made in a country ravaged by war and secular violence and agrees that 99 percent of the Iraqi people want to "get on with their lives and live their version of the Iraqi Dream." The recent death of his grandmother Sue Hudson gave Johnson a personal feeling for the sacrifices American soldiers are making while separated from their families. Another hardship he talks about is being away from his sons Matthew, 16, and Jake, 13. He looks forward to returning home to watch Matt graduate from high school and hopefully attend UT-K and see Jake transition into high school, hopefully in Tennessee.
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(Age 75 years)