Brig. General William J. Johnson: Leader of the Guard

Brig. General William J. Johnson: Leader of the Guard

William J. Johnson became the first African-American general in the history of the Arkansas National Guard. Johnson served in the Arkansas National Guard for thirty-six years before his 2012 retirement. He is the first African-American General in Arkansas, the first African-American Deputy Adjutant General in Arkansas and the highest ranking African American in the Arkansas National Guard. General Johnson led more than 10,000 members of the Arkansas Army and Air National Guard and was in charge of the preparedness for domestic operations and homeland security in Arkansas. Johnson has received many awards and decorations, including the Legion of Merit Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Army Physical Fitness Badge, Arkansas Distinguished Service Medal, and Arkansas Army National Guard General Staff Badge.