SFC DEBORAH L. JOHNSEN
984th Military Police Company
759th Military Police Battalion
Fort Carson, Colorado
October 3, 1966
- April 25, 2003
FROM "LEGACY.COM - WHERE LIFE STORIES LIVE ON"
(http://legacy.com/LegacySubPage2.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=1057505)
Sergeant First Class Deborah Lee Johnsen
1966 - 2003
Deborah Lee
Johnsen was born in Middletown, Connecticut, on October 3rd, 1966, the
daughter of Norman and Sarah Johnsen. She lived in Groton, Connecticut;
Chicago, Illinois and Chittenango, New York before she moved to
Glendale, Arizona in 1974.
Deborah was always busy. From the time she was eleven years old, and had a paper route, Deborah worked. She took pride in everything she did and strived to develop her talents. She became a champion swimmer, lifeguard, and certified scuba diver. Deborah loved animals and trained dogs. Horses were her passion and she was an excellent equestrian. She liked to ski, hike, climb and explore. In high school, she was on the softball, basketball, track and field and swim teams.
Debby graduated from Cactus High School in 1984, and moved to Hawaii. She returned to the Phoenix area in 1986, to help care for her gravely ill Mother. Deborah dedicated her time to the care of her Mother, while she maintained an independent household, worked full-time and attended college part-time. After her Mother received a liver transplant and her Mother's health improved, Deborah entered the United States Army in January of 1990.
Military Police School at Fort McClellan, Alabama was her first destination. Then, she served with the Law Enforcement Company at the Presidio in San Francisco, California. She toured most of Europe while she was stationed in Germany, with the 164th Military Police Company, Miesau, and the 554th Military Police Company. Her next assignment was Headquarters Company, at the United States Army Garrison, at Vint Hill Farms Station, Virginia. Deborah won an award as the finest soldier at that base, and an award for the region. At Fort McClellan, Alabama, Deborah served as a drill sergeant for three years, with A-Company, 787th Military Police Battalion. On September 11th, 2001, Debby was stationed in southwest Asia. Then, she was assigned to the 759th Military Police Corps Support, at Fort Carson, in Colorado.
Some of Deborah's awards and decorations include: Meritorious Service Metal; the Army Commendation Medal, with two oak leaf clusters; the Joint Service Achievement Medal; the Army Achievement Medal, with seven oak leaf clusters; the Army Superior Unit Award; the German Armed Forces Efficiency Badge (bronze); Overseas Service Ribbon; Army Service Ribbon; Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, with the numeral three; Good Conduct Medal, with bronze clasp and four loops; and the National Defense Service Metal, with two bronze stars.
At about 3:40 P.M. on April 25th, 2003, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Deborah and a friend rode their motorcycles in the right-hand lane, of a four lane parkway. (Deborah's friend rode a new bike and to make sure her friend was safe) Deborah followed her friend. The speed of the traffic was about 37 miles an hour, in a 35 miles per hour zone. A man in a truck sped up to enter their lane of traffic, and turned into the lane dangerously close to Deborah's friend. Then, he suddenly reduced his speed to almost a stop. (Deborah's friend said the driver of the truck seemed oblivious to his surroundings, and the foolish actions of the inattentive driver did not appear to be deliberately malicious.) Deborah decided to stop to the right of the truck, but the truck made a sharp turn to the right, to enter a driveway. At that point, Deborah swerved to the left. Her right brake pedal scraped the pavement; she lost control of her rear brake and was thrown in the air. The right side of her full face helmet took most of the impact. Deborah was immediately unconscious. At a nearby hospital, Deborah passed away at 3:53 P.M., on April 25th, 2003. Perhaps, a careful review of her accident will save a life in the future? She was only 36 years old, and was close to a degree in Criminal Justice.
Deborah was preceded in death by her Grandparents: Henry and Dagmar Johnsen, and William Vincent and Ruth Mitchell Lee. Deborah is survived by her parents: Norman and Sarah Johnsen; one sister, Vivian Phelan; one nephew, David Waddell; three nieces, Deborah Waddell, Christina Waddell and Ruth-Mary Phelan. Deborah Lee Johnsen had two uncles: Henry J. Johnsen and William D. Lee; and one Aunt and her husband, Evelyn and John J. Breider. She also had eight cousins: Paul Breider, Susan Johnsen, Barbara Foster, John Breider III, James Lee, Joanne Adlon, Vincent Lee and Nicolas Sibrain.
A Memorial Service was held on April 30th, 2003, at Fort Carson, in Colorado Springs. Her senior officers said, "Deborah always set the example and led from the front... She possessed exceptional professionalism, candor, and tireless energy... She demanded excellence from her soldiers and gave the same back to them."
On May 1st, 2003, another Memorial Service was held at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. Deborah was described as a person "who worked tirelessly for the welfare of her soldiers... a leader who was tough but fair... a prime mentor and outstanding teacher." Seven soldiers fired three volleys which echoed through the hills. A piper played "Amazing Grace."
Deborah had a Military Funeral in Phoenix, Arizona on May 3rd, 2003. She will have a headstone in her ancestral home of Connecticut. Her ashes will be spread from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Deborah was always in charge. She lifted our spirits and led the parade. With a quick smile and a gentle wit, she possessed integrity, intuition, perception, empathy, honor and determination. Our problems were solved by her. She would discuss practices and make us think. Her logic was extraordinary. Therefore, she won most debates. Deborah cared. She was an intrepid soldier, who touched many souls. Deborah is deeply loved.
Deborah was always busy. From the time she was eleven years old, and had a paper route, Deborah worked. She took pride in everything she did and strived to develop her talents. She became a champion swimmer, lifeguard, and certified scuba diver. Deborah loved animals and trained dogs. Horses were her passion and she was an excellent equestrian. She liked to ski, hike, climb and explore. In high school, she was on the softball, basketball, track and field and swim teams.
Debby graduated from Cactus High School in 1984, and moved to Hawaii. She returned to the Phoenix area in 1986, to help care for her gravely ill Mother. Deborah dedicated her time to the care of her Mother, while she maintained an independent household, worked full-time and attended college part-time. After her Mother received a liver transplant and her Mother's health improved, Deborah entered the United States Army in January of 1990.
Military Police School at Fort McClellan, Alabama was her first destination. Then, she served with the Law Enforcement Company at the Presidio in San Francisco, California. She toured most of Europe while she was stationed in Germany, with the 164th Military Police Company, Miesau, and the 554th Military Police Company. Her next assignment was Headquarters Company, at the United States Army Garrison, at Vint Hill Farms Station, Virginia. Deborah won an award as the finest soldier at that base, and an award for the region. At Fort McClellan, Alabama, Deborah served as a drill sergeant for three years, with A-Company, 787th Military Police Battalion. On September 11th, 2001, Debby was stationed in southwest Asia. Then, she was assigned to the 759th Military Police Corps Support, at Fort Carson, in Colorado.
Some of Deborah's awards and decorations include: Meritorious Service Metal; the Army Commendation Medal, with two oak leaf clusters; the Joint Service Achievement Medal; the Army Achievement Medal, with seven oak leaf clusters; the Army Superior Unit Award; the German Armed Forces Efficiency Badge (bronze); Overseas Service Ribbon; Army Service Ribbon; Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, with the numeral three; Good Conduct Medal, with bronze clasp and four loops; and the National Defense Service Metal, with two bronze stars.
At about 3:40 P.M. on April 25th, 2003, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Deborah and a friend rode their motorcycles in the right-hand lane, of a four lane parkway. (Deborah's friend rode a new bike and to make sure her friend was safe) Deborah followed her friend. The speed of the traffic was about 37 miles an hour, in a 35 miles per hour zone. A man in a truck sped up to enter their lane of traffic, and turned into the lane dangerously close to Deborah's friend. Then, he suddenly reduced his speed to almost a stop. (Deborah's friend said the driver of the truck seemed oblivious to his surroundings, and the foolish actions of the inattentive driver did not appear to be deliberately malicious.) Deborah decided to stop to the right of the truck, but the truck made a sharp turn to the right, to enter a driveway. At that point, Deborah swerved to the left. Her right brake pedal scraped the pavement; she lost control of her rear brake and was thrown in the air. The right side of her full face helmet took most of the impact. Deborah was immediately unconscious. At a nearby hospital, Deborah passed away at 3:53 P.M., on April 25th, 2003. Perhaps, a careful review of her accident will save a life in the future? She was only 36 years old, and was close to a degree in Criminal Justice.
Deborah was preceded in death by her Grandparents: Henry and Dagmar Johnsen, and William Vincent and Ruth Mitchell Lee. Deborah is survived by her parents: Norman and Sarah Johnsen; one sister, Vivian Phelan; one nephew, David Waddell; three nieces, Deborah Waddell, Christina Waddell and Ruth-Mary Phelan. Deborah Lee Johnsen had two uncles: Henry J. Johnsen and William D. Lee; and one Aunt and her husband, Evelyn and John J. Breider. She also had eight cousins: Paul Breider, Susan Johnsen, Barbara Foster, John Breider III, James Lee, Joanne Adlon, Vincent Lee and Nicolas Sibrain.
A Memorial Service was held on April 30th, 2003, at Fort Carson, in Colorado Springs. Her senior officers said, "Deborah always set the example and led from the front... She possessed exceptional professionalism, candor, and tireless energy... She demanded excellence from her soldiers and gave the same back to them."
On May 1st, 2003, another Memorial Service was held at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. Deborah was described as a person "who worked tirelessly for the welfare of her soldiers... a leader who was tough but fair... a prime mentor and outstanding teacher." Seven soldiers fired three volleys which echoed through the hills. A piper played "Amazing Grace."
Deborah had a Military Funeral in Phoenix, Arizona on May 3rd, 2003. She will have a headstone in her ancestral home of Connecticut. Her ashes will be spread from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Deborah was always in charge. She lifted our spirits and led the parade. With a quick smile and a gentle wit, she possessed integrity, intuition, perception, empathy, honor and determination. Our problems were solved by her. She would discuss practices and make us think. Her logic was extraordinary. Therefore, she won most debates. Deborah cared. She was an intrepid soldier, who touched many souls. Deborah is deeply loved.
Article From: "The Wire"
Volume 3, Issue 22
Friday, May 2, 2003
(http://www.nsgtmo.navy.mil/jtfgtmo/wire/v03/i2/2/TheWire-v3-i22-02May03.pdf)
Sgt. 1st Class Deborah L. Johnsen was
assigned to the 984th Military Police Company and acted as the
Operations NCOIC where she consistently demonstrated strength,
determination, and exemplary leadership skills.
Because of her excellent performance, she had received numerous awards, including seven Army Achievement medals; two Army Commendation Medals; an Army Service Medal; and three Good Conduct Medals.
Deborah’s contributions to Joint Task Force Guantanamo were exemplary. Her memory will be cherished by all.
In Memory of Sgt. 1st Class Deborah Johnsen:
"Deborah was a hard worker, tough but always fair; motivated...and a motivator of others...she was the type of person that was always willing to provide help when help was needed." ~ Lt. Col. (CH) Herbert Heavner, Joint Task Force Chaplain.
Because of her excellent performance, she had received numerous awards, including seven Army Achievement medals; two Army Commendation Medals; an Army Service Medal; and three Good Conduct Medals.
Deborah’s contributions to Joint Task Force Guantanamo were exemplary. Her memory will be cherished by all.
In Memory of Sgt. 1st Class Deborah Johnsen:
"Deborah was a hard worker, tough but always fair; motivated...and a motivator of others...she was the type of person that was always willing to provide help when help was needed." ~ Lt. Col. (CH) Herbert Heavner, Joint Task Force Chaplain.
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