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Veterinarian and WSU alumnus Dr. Neill Johnson (DVM ’69) poses next to his veterinary vehicle in Vietnam. Johnson was one of 300 veterinarians who served in Vietnam (photo courtesy of Neill Johnson).
Dr. Neill Johnson in 1969.
Episode 3412 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Vietnam War Veterinarian Dr. Neill Johnson. The featured story appeared on the WSU website and was titled: WSU alumnus shares experiences as a veterinarian in the Vietnam War It was submitted by Josh Babcock, College of Veterinary Medicine.
Babcock reported that Vietnam Veteran Dr. Neill Johnson experienced the horrors of the Vietnam War just 11 days after arriving in South Vietnam. On May 3, 1970, Johnson found himself fighting for survival during a massive enemy assault on Landing Zone Betty (LZ Betty), a U.S. helicopter gunship base near Phan Thiet.
Approximately 500 North Vietnamese troops, guided by Viet Cong fighters, attacked the installation with more than 120 mortar rounds and numerous rockets. American helicopter gunships were destroyed, reserve forces were overwhelmed, and Johnson found himself trapped alone inside a bunker with nothing but a .45-caliber pistol. Just when defeat seemed inevitable, an American AC-47 Spooky gunship, famously known as Puff the Magic Dragon, arrived and unleashed devastating machine-gun fire, helping drive away the attackers.
Johnson was one of approximately 300 military veterinarians who served in Vietnam. His responsibilities included protecting the military food supply, treating animals, and safeguarding the thousands of military working dogs that helped American troops detect mines, locate enemy fighters, patrol installations, and search tunnels.
His service brought repeated brushes with death. He narrowly escaped a landmine explosion that killed everyone in another military vehicle. He also faced heartbreaking decisions involving rabies-infected dogs that had become beloved companions to American soldiers. Determined to prevent further tragedies, Johnson made it his mission to vaccinate soldiers’ dogs at remote military bases throughout Vietnam.
For his honorable service, Johnson received the Bronze Star and was honorably discharged in April 1971. He subsequently earned a PhD in veterinary science and built a distinguished career as a veterinary pathologist and researcher.
Dr. Neill Johnson’s story represents the courage, dedication, sacrifice, and extraordinary character of our Vietnam Veterans. Not every hero carried a rifle into battle. Some served as veterinarians, medics, engineers, and support personnel, yet all faced the dangers of war.
Our Vietnam Veteran generation deserves the highest respect and recognition. They answered America’s call to duty, served with honor, and demonstrated a greatness that should never be forgotten.
Listen to episode 3412 and discover more about Vietnam War Veterinarian Dr.Neill Johnson.
