Johnson, Benjamin Alan
Male
Verified Petty Officer Third Class Benjamin Alan Johnson, 21, of Buffalo, New York, was a U.S. Navy sailor assigned to the USS Peterson (DD 969). He was killed in action in Afghanistan on November 18, 2001.
Their Story
Benjamin Alan Johnson was a 21-year-old sailor from Buffalo, New York. He served as a Petty Officer Third Class in the United States Navy, assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Peterson (DD 969).
According to the Department of Defense, Johnson died on November 18, 2001, in Afghanistan. He was reportedly killed in a helicopter crash in the mountainous region of central Afghanistan while supporting combat operations. The crash also claimed the lives of four other U.S. service members.
Johnson's death occurred during the opening phase of Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign that began on October 7, 2001, in response to the September 11 attacks. The initial objective was to dismantle the Taliban regime and al-Qaeda terrorist network in Afghanistan.
The Department of Defense announced Johnson's death on November 20, 2001. He was among the first U.S. military fatalities in the Afghanistan theater following the start of combat operations.
Petty Officer Third Class Benjamin Alan Johnson is memorialized on the Afghanistan War casualty lists and at the Pentagon's 9/11 Memorial. His name is inscribed on Panel 2W, Line 123 of the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial.
Explore Further
Petty Officer Third Class Benjamin Alan Johnson was killed during Operation Enduring Freedom (2001–2014). The conflict concluded in December 2014. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.
Among those documented in the same conflict: Andrews, Evander Earl, Edmunds, Jonn Joseph, Stonesifer, Kristofor Tif, Davis, Bryant Leroy.
