Biography
Reginald E. Johnson
Florida Roots
Reggie, as he was commonly known, was born in Landstuhl, Germany
in 1958 to Eugene C. and Ionia A. Johnson. Along with his parents and
his sister, Regina, he grew up in Europe, Hawaii, Washington, D.C. and
Florida. He started school at Holland Elementary School in Satellite
Beach, Florida.
In 1965 he departed for Italy with his parents and later returned to
Florida by way of Washington, D.C. and entered Delaura Jr. High
School, in Satellite Beach, Florida. While at Delaura he won trophies
in Track, Basketball and Football. He worked hard academically and
became a member of the National Honor Society.
When Reggie entered Satellite High School, he was an outstanding
student who continued to excel in academics. He maintained a 3.76
GPA which eventually won him an appointment to the U.S. Military
Academy at West Point.
Reggie was an outstanding athlete who was named three years in
succession to the Cape Coast Conference Football and Track Teams.
In addition to academics and sports, Reggie still found time for extra
curricular activities.
During his senior year he was Senior Class Senator and Vice President of the Key Club, which entailed his traveling and speaking at different functions throughout Central Florida. All of these accomplishments were directly responsible for his receiving nominations to the United States Air Force Academy and the United States Military Academy at West Point which he accepted.
While a cadet at West Point for four years, Reggie continued his stride for excellence, singing in the Cadet Gospel Choir, making the Varsity Football Team as a Running Back his “Plebe” (freshman) year plus running Varsity Track. His most notable achievement, besides his displayed military leadership ability, was breaking West Point’s Long Jump record of thirty-two years and setting his own record.
In Loving Memory
In Reggies’ honor, West Point has established a memorial presentation,
which is given each year at graduation, commencing in 1981.
A marble bench has been placed along the bank of the Hudson River;
a mural painted on the wall has a portion dedicated to Reggie. In the
library at Grant Hall, Reggie’s name is inscribed.
Reggie is gone, but shall never be forgotten because he firmly planted
his footprints into the sands of time, thus causing his memory to
withstand eternity.
