Bulletin E-Edition:
Madras soldier injured in blast
Alex Johnson expected to fully recover after roadside bombing
By Lauren Dake / The Bulletin
Published: October 29. 2009 4:00AM PSTPfc. Alex Johnson, 19
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A 19-year-old Madras resident is recuperating after he was injured in Afghanistan when the armored vehicle he was driving hit a roadside bomb.
Pfc. Alex Johnson's vehicle flipped several times once it hit the bomb. Two other men who were in the vehicle with Johnson died, according to Amber Sanders, of Madras, Johnson's cousin. Once the vehicle stopped flipping, a friend who was in the military vehicle behind Johnson jumped out and pulled him from the wreckage.
Johnson was injured on Friday and flown to the Army hospital in Germany and later to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
“His back is broken in three different places and he has two broken legs,” Sanders said. “The doctors expect a full recovery ... which is wonderful,” she said.
On Wednesday afternoon, Johnson was recovering from a nine-hour surgery on his legs.
Johnson joined the Army immediately after graduating from Madras High School in 2008, according to Principal Gary Carlton.
“He is a very responsible kid and was a good citizen around here,” Carlton said. “It's always a devastating piece of news for any family, community or school to hear about.”
Johnson's parents, James and Becky Johnson, of Madras, traveled to the East Coast earlier this week to be with their son and could not be reached for comment.
<Johnson was with the Army's 569th Engineering Company.
When Johnson was in high school, he volunteered with the Jefferson County Emergency Medical Services where his dad works.
“He was the youngest person ever to get the volunteer of the year award here,” said Michael Lepin, who is the assistant chief of ambulance with the Jefferson County EMS.
Lepin said at the time Johnson was too young to drive, but he assisted paramedics on scene and got his first responder certification.
“Since I've known him he's been a good kid,” Lepin said. “He's a strong kid. I know this experience will shake him up, but I'm hoping he gets the support he needs and he'll come through this. He definitely has all the support from the department here.”
Johnson spent all four years at Madras High School participating in JROTC. His teacher, Lt. Col. Larry Renfro, said Johnson worked hard and moved up the ranks.
“He was one of my top three cadets his senior year. ... It was the second-highest rank he could attain,” Renfro said.
“He's a good kid, that's all I can say,” he said. “He's fun to be around, well spoken and he paid attention.”
Sanders said Johnson has an older brother, William, who is stationed in Montana with the Air Force.
She said Johnson's parents were happy to be reunited with their son.
“They were shook up, but happy he was alive,” she said.
“I talked to (his mom) this morning, they got to see him and kiss him (Tuesday) night,” Sanders said. “They are relieved. They were given a worst-case scenario that he could lose his right eye. His eye is going to be fine, he has feeling in his limbs, so no signs of paralysis. They were just so happy to be with him and touch him and see him. ... They are happy he has a good prognosis.”
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