Courtney Johnson remembered

The Defense Department announced the death of Sergeant Courtney T. Johnson. The 25-year-old's family is remembering a loyal soldier and family man with a big smile.

The family of Courtney Johnson said he thrived so much in the military that he signed up for second 4-year commitment, even during a time of war. Now they are stunned to lose a man who was a son, a brother, and a young father.

Courtney Johnson joined the Marines after graduating from Southeast Raleigh High School in 2000. And after his 4-year commitment, he spent 2-years in civilian life, but then joined the Army to get back to the military he loved. Courtney's brother, Rikkia Jordan says, "That's what he felt in his heart of hearts to do. He felt that it was his duty, that he wasn't finished."

His family said Johnson's leadership skills shined the Army and he was very close to the soldiers with whom he served. "He felt a sense of honor and a sense of duty with them," Rikka said.

When Johnson returned from Iraq, he planned to marry his high school sweetheart and raise his one-year-old son.

Those plans were shattered last week when an insurgent mortar shell killed Johnson during an attack. He had been deployed in Iraq since March, his grieving mother, Alondra Johnson, is wondering when the war will end. "It's not getting better. It's getting worse. It's like they don't want us over there. So why are we still there? Can anyone answer that question for me?"

Johnson's mother says her son served his country and his fellow soldiers with honor, he was very proud to wear the uniform. "He would want to be remembered as I tried, I tried my best. And I think that's what he's saying," Alondra said.

From WDTV 11

Related Link:
Courtney T. Johnson dies 'of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with indirect fire'