Rufus Zenas Johnston (June 7, 1874 – July 4, 1959) was born in

Lincolnton, North Carolina Lincolnton is a city in Lincoln County, North Carolina, United States within the Charlotte metropolitan area. The population was 11,091 at the 2020 census, with an estimated population of 12,128, as of 2023. Lincolnton is northwest of Charlo ...

. He graduated from the

United States Naval Academy The United States Naval Academy (USNA, Navy, or Annapolis) is a United States Service academies, federal service academy in Annapolis, Maryland. It was established on 10 October 1845 during the tenure of George Bancroft as United States Secre ...

in 1895. He received the

Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest Awards and decorations of the United States Armed Forces, military decoration and is awarded to recognize American United States Army, soldiers, United States Navy, sailors, Un ...

for actions at the

United States occupation of Veracruz The Battle of Veracruz was a military conflict between the United States and Mexico that took place in the Mexican port city of Veracruz between April 21 to November 23, 1914. The incident occurred in the midst of poor diplomatic relations be ...

in 1914. Johnston is also a recipient of the

Navy Cross The Navy Cross is the United States Naval Service's second-highest military decoration awarded for sailors and marines who distinguish themselves for extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force. The medal is equivalent to the Army ...

and served in the

Battle of Santiago de Cuba The Battle of Santiago de Cuba was a decisive naval engagement that occurred on July 3, 1898 between an United States, American fleet, led by William T. Sampson and Winfield Scott Schley, against a Restoration (Spain), Spanish fleet led by Pascu ...

Philippine–American War The Philippine–American War, known alternatively as the Philippine Insurrection, Filipino–American War, or Tagalog Insurgency, emerged following the conclusion of the Spanish–American War in December 1898 when the United States annexed th ...

Boxer Rebellion The Boxer Rebellion, also known as the Boxer Uprising, was an anti-foreign, anti-imperialist, and anti-Christian uprising in North China between 1899 and 1901, towards the end of the Qing dynasty, by the Society of Righteous and Harmonious F ...

and

World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

Biography

After graduation from the Naval Academy in June 1895, Johnston served aboard the protected cruiser for two years. Promoted from midshipman to ensign in June 1897, he then served aboard the battleship . His ship participated in the

Spanish–American War The Spanish–American War (April 21 – August 13, 1898) was fought between Restoration (Spain), Spain and the United States in 1898. It began with the sinking of the USS Maine (1889), USS ''Maine'' in Havana Harbor in Cuba, and resulted in the ...

, the Philippine Insurrection and the

China Relief Expedition The China Relief Expedition was an expedition in China undertaken by the United States Armed Forces to rescue United States citizens, European nationals, and other foreign nationals during the latter years of the Boxer Rebellion, which lasted ...

during the Boxer Rebellion. Transferred to the crew of the hospital ship , Johnston returned to the United States where he served aboard the battleship . Promoted to lieutenant junior grade in July 1900, he briefly served aboard the battleship before joining the staff back at the Naval Academy. In May 1902, Johnston was given command of the torpedo boat . He was promoted to lieutenant in January 1903. In June 1905, Johnston was assigned to the

Bureau of Navigation The Bureau of Navigation, later the Bureau of Navigation and Steamboat Inspection and finally the Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation — not to be confused with the United States Navys Bureau of Navigation — was an agency of the Unite ...

in Washington, D.C., where he served for two years before joining the crew of the dispatch vessel . He was promoted to lieutenant commander in July 1908 and made executive officer in January 1909. Johnston briefly served as commanding officer before being reassigned to Naval Training Station, Newport in April 1910 as executive officer of the training ship . In November 1912, Johnston was assigned to the battleship . In April 1914, he went ashore at Veracruz to help seize control of the Mexican port city. In July 1914, Johnston was promoted to commander and became executive officer. In October 1915, he became commandant of Naval Training Station, Newport. During World War I, Johnston was frocked as a captain in October 1917. His temporary promotion was approved on January 1, 1918, and he assumed command of the protected cruiser later that month. In September 1918, Johnston briefly served as commanding officer of the armored cruiser ''Frederick'' before being injured. He was sent to Naval Hospital, Newport to recuperate. After recovering, Johnston attended the

Naval War College The Naval War College (NWC or NAVWARCOL) is the staff college and "Home of Thought" for the United States Navy at Naval Station Newport in Newport, Rhode Island. The NWC educates and develops leaders, supports defining the future Navy and associa ...

in 1919. On June 6, 1920, his promotion to captain was made permanent. In October 1920, Johnston briefly served as commanding officer of the battleship before becoming commandant of the Receiving Station and Naval Training Station at

Hampton Roads Hampton Roads is a body of water in the United States that serves as a wide channel for the James River, James, Nansemond River, Nansemond, and Elizabeth River (Virginia), Elizabeth rivers between Old Point Comfort and Sewell's Point near whe ...

, Virginia. In December 1922, he assumed command of the battleship . From November 1924 to March 1925, his ship carried Lt. Gen.

John J. Pershing General of the Armies John Joseph Pershing (September 13, 1860 – July 15, 1948), nicknamed "Black Jack", was an American army general, educator, and founder of the Pershing Rifles. He served as the commander of the American Expeditionary For ...

on a good will tour of South America. In April 1925, Johnston relinquished command to Capt. Walton R. Sexton and reported to the Bureau of Navigation in May. From 1925 to 1927, Johnston served as chief of staff at the Naval War College. In July 1927, he became chief of staff to the commander of the

Scouting Fleet The Scouting Fleet is an important part of the U.S. Navy, established in 1922 as part of the reorganization of the Navy after World War I. It is one of the four core units of the newly formed "American Fleet", which together with the battle Fleet ...

, serving aboard the battleship and then the battleship . From August 1928 to June 1930, Johnston served as assistant commandant of the First Naval District in Boston, Massachusetts. Johnston retired from active duty as a captain on June 30, 1930. He was later advanced to rear admiral on the retired list as the result of an act of

Congress A congress is a formal meeting of the representatives of different countries, constituent states, organizations, trade unions, political parties, or other groups. The term originated in Late Middle English to denote an encounter (meeting of ...

passed on August 7, 1947. After retirement, Johnston lived in Newport, Rhode Island. He died at his home there on July 4, 1959. Johnston is buried at

Arlington National Cemetery Arlington National Cemetery is the largest cemetery in the United States National Cemetery System, one of two maintained by the United States Army. More than 400,000 people are buried in its 639 acres (259 ha) in Arlington County, Virginia. ...

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Lieutenant Commander Organization: U.S. Navy Born: 7 June 1874, Lincolnton, N.C. Accredited to: North Carolina Date of Issue: 12/04/1915 Johnston was awarded the Medal of Honor citation

For distinguished conduct in battle, engagement of Vera Cruz, 22 April 1914; was regimental adjutant, and eminent and conspicuous in his conduct. He exhibited courage and skill in leading his men through the action of the 22d and in the final occupation of the city.

Navy Cross citation

On September 23, 1919, Captain Johnston was awarded the Navy Cross citation

For distinguished service in the line of his profession as commanding officer of the U. S. S. ''Minneapolis'', engaged in the important, exacting and hazardous duty of transporting and escorting troops and supplies to European ports through waters infested with enemy submarines and mines.

Family

Johnston was the son of Robert Zenas, who was a Presbyterian minister, and Catherine Caldwell Johnston. On June 2, 1903, Johnston married Emma "Emcie" Pegram (August 8, 1877 – December 25, 1951) in

Richmond, Virginia Richmond ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the Commonwealth (U.S. state), U.S. commonwealth of Virginia. Incorporated in 1742, Richmond has been an independent city (United States), independent city since 1871. ...

. The couple had three children: Rufus Zenas Jr., Elizabeth, and Catherine.

References

External links