Photo By Sgt. Joshua Edwards | Master Sgt. Johnny Bethel holds a Vietnam era mess kit that was made into an award for...... read more read more
CHARLESTON, S.C. -- From the jungles of Vietnam to the mountains of Afghanistan, one Soldier’s career has spanned over four decades. Master Sgt. Johnny Bethel, Food Services Specialist, 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, South Carolina Army National Guard, and a native of Columbia, S.C., has finally hung up his uniform for the last time.
Bethel retired, Nov. 30, after having served nearly 41 years of military service.
“If you have asked me 40 years ago, I would never have thought I would still be here today,” said Bethel.
Bethel began his service July 15, 1969, completing basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C. and later completed Infantry school at Fort Lewis, Wash.
In December 1969, Bethel was deployed to the Republic of Vietnam to begin his yearlong tour of duty, where he was awarded a Bronze Star with Valor, while serving as a M-60 machine gunner with D Company, 4th Battalion, 3rd Infantry, 11th Infantry Brigade (Light).
According to the citation; on the day of March 2, 1970, the company while on a combat patrol came under attack by a larger enemy force. During the initial contact, part of the company sustained several severe casualties and became pinned down in an exposed area. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Bethel quickly maneuvered across the open terrain to a strategic position and began placing intense volumes of suppressive fire on the insurgents. Ignoring the danger involved, he repeatedly exposed himself to the concentration of hostile fire, enabling trapped comrades to move to a more tenable position. Through his timely and courageous actions, Bethel was instrumental in thwarting the hostile assault.
Bethel also received the Purple Heart that day after being wounded when an enemy rocket impacted near his position and he was struck in the neck by shrapnel.
After being discharged from active duty Bethel did not end his service there, he continued to serve by enlisting in the Army Reserves in 1976, where he served with 1st Battalion, 321st Regiment, 108th Infantry Division in Columbia, S.C.
Bethel joined the SCARNG in 1985, where he served for the remainder of his career with 218th MEB, as the brigade food service non-commissioned officer in charge.
“I remember the first time I saw Johnny. The first I thing noticed was that he wore a right sleeve patch (combat patch), and at that time you didn’t see a lot of them, but I knew he was someone I could learn a lot from,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Kirkland, 218th MEB, Command Sergeant Major.
“Over the past 25 years Bethel has overseen the feeding of nearly 550,000 Guardsmen, since coming to the 218th,” said Master Sgt. Charles “Steve” Steele, 218th MEB, Food Service NCOIC, “He takes a lot of pride in making sure everything is right.”
“Bethel has always been someone that can get things done,” said Maj. Curtiss Robinson, Logistics Officer, 218th MEB, during Bethel’s retirement luncheon, “He just has a way doing things his way.”
In 2007, Bethel deployed to Afghanistan. His mission was to train Afghan soldiers in cooking and sanitation methods, but the mission changed and so did his duties. For the length of the deployment he oversaw and facilitated Soldiers leaving and returning from their mid-tour rest and relaxation.
“Seeing Johnny was a good thing because that meant you were going home, but seeing Johnny again was a bad thing, because that also meant you were back,” jokingly said Col. Waymon B. Storey, 218th MEB Brigade Commander.
Not only did Bethel serve his country for over 40 years, he continues to serve his community by working for the Department of Corrections for the last 25 years, delivering supplies to correction facilities across the state.
“I am going to miss my family,” said Bethel, “The Army has always been my family away from home.”
| Date Taken: | 12.02.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 01.18.2011 11:07 |
| Story ID: | 63736 |
| Location: | CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 54 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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