Harlan Warren Johnson

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Nathan C. Johnson on August 19, 2005:

Dad used to say that he was fortunate to be an American. Instead of being "proud to be an American", he felt that we should be thankful, feel lucky and fortunate to be part of such a great land. Harlan, 77 an eleven year resident of Sun Lakes, Arizona was taken from us on August 12, 2005 from natural causes. He was born April 19, 1928 in Roberts, Illinois to Helen E. Croft and Henry W. Johnson. Helen survived Henry and later married Dr. Seward C. Staley. Harlan married Norma Darlene Pleines and had a wonderful 44 years until she passed in 2003. He is survived by his four children, Marc, Jay, Nathan, Elizabeth and his granddaughter Megan. Harlan was appointed to West Point from the 19th Congressional District. After graduation Harlan joined the Corp of Engineers but first took time to compete with the Modern Pentathlon Team representing the USMA in the 1952 Olympics. He next was assigned to the 118th Engineer Combat Battalion, 43rd Infantry Division in Germany where he served from 1952 to 1954. Harlan then went to the University of Illinois where he earned a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering as well as a Master of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering in 1959. The Nuclear degree led to assignment in the Army's Nuclear Power Program and a tour at the Atomic Energy Commission's National Reactor Test Station in Idaho. This led to a 14 month tour at McMurdo, Antarctica where the Navy had the responsibility for supporting National Science Foundation Scientist's explorations on the Antarctic Continent. He helped to develop the nuclear power plant which provided electrical service. Perhaps Harlan's knack for nuclear power came from his father Henry who died when Harlan was two years old. Henry was a lineman for a rural electric company that was providing electricity to various parts of town. Henry was killed, while on a pole, when an energized line hit his foot. The family still owns Henry's wire cutters. In 1965 Harlan was assigned to Office, Chief of Engineers and was awarded the Commendation Medal for Distinguished service on completion of his tour. In 1966 Harlan became a Registered Professional Engineer and then was assigned to the 27th Engineer Battalion in the Republic of Vietnam where he served during 1970 and was decorated with the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and the Bronze Star Medal for distinguished heroism against an enemy on completion of his tour. Other tours took him to Belgium, France, and Korea. Harlan's last military assignment was as Deputy Division Engineer of the North Central Division in Chicago where he served from 1974 to 1977 when he retired from the United States Army as a Colonel. (Some source from work on the Howitzer book, by Jose Andres Chacon) Harlan and Darlene continued to make their residence in Deerfield, Illinois where he continued with other pursuits and she suceeded as a Mary Kay Consultant. In 1994 they moved to Sun Lakes, Arizona and watched the area grow and prosper. While in Sun Lakes, Harlan took full advantage of the local hiking opportunities, carved a blue ribbon winning "Bald Eagle" Kachina, enjoyed a great golf course and continued to swim 40 lengths, reciting a family or friends name on each. He spent summers at his cottage in Canada.

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