Family, military honor fallen soldier as 'hero'

Spc. Ty Johnson and his commanding officer, Lt. Col. Marty Holland, spent hours together navigating the dangerous streets of Iraq in a Humvee, with Johnson at the wheel.

On April 4, Johnson died after a roadside bomb exploded near his Humvee in Kirkuk, Iraq. And Holland had to make a trek on his own, escorting Johnson's body from Iraq to Midvale, where the soldier was buried Wednesday.

"After all of the trips we had together in the past 16 months, it was only fitting I accompany him on this final trip," Holland said during the funeral.

"He was my friend," Holland said, then paused for a few moments to hide his emotions. "He will always be my hero."

Most soldiers don't want to chauffeur the commander around, Holland said. Yet Johnson made the best of it, seeking every opportunity to be the best soldier and driver he could.

He loved the job so much he recently re-enlisted for another six years.

Johnson told his family he wanted to make Iraq a better place for the next generation of Iraqis, so they could live the same life that his two young children enjoy in the United States. Although the many months away from his young family were hard, he said he knew serving his country was the right thing to do.

From daily drives with Holland to delivering 40,000 ballots during Iraq's first election, Johnson consistently called home to tell his his family how proud he was about his job.

"Being with your family is great. Keeping them far away from harm is better," Johnson told his twin brother, Blake, in one phone call.

The dangers of the job weighed heavily on Johnson's mind. In an e-mail to his father a few weeks ago, Johnson wrote about how soldiers in convoys were getting injured. He served with the 101st Airborne Division and was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team.

At Wednesday's funeral, several friends and family members described Johnson's signature smile and eagerness to always lend a helping hand.

"He has taught me to break out of the norm, do things I never would have done," his wife, Corrine said. After a short speech, Corrine turned toward Johnson's casket and said, "I love you and I will always love you. I will miss you."

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. ordered that the U.S. flag and the state flag be lowered to half-staff on all state facilities Wednesday in Johnson's honor.

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E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com