Gordon Johnston

Gordon Johnston (May 25, 1874 – March 8, 1934) was an American soldier, Medal of Honor recipient and football player and coach. He played at the tackle position for Princeton University and served as the head coach of the University of North Carolina football team in 1896. He served as an officer in the United States Army during the Spanish–American War, the Philippine–American War and World War I, and received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Philippine–American War.

Biography

Major General Charles P. Summerall (center) along with members of his staff and senior commanders in his V Corps, pictured here in 1918 or 1919. Colonel Gordon Johnston, chief of staff of the 82nd Division, is stood on the far left.

Gordon Johnston was the son of Confederate General Robert Daniel Johnston and the philanthropist, Elizabeth Johnston Evans Johnston. Through his mother he was the great grandson of North Carolina Governor John Motley Morehead. According to Princeton records he was born in "the old home" near Birmingham, Alabama. However, the 1880 census indicates he was born in North Carolina. After graduating from Birmingham High School, Johnston enrolled at Princeton University in New Jersey. While attending the university, Johnston played college football as a tackle for two years in 1894 and 1895. Johnston became a member of The Tiger Inn. He graduated from Princeton in 1896 and became the head football coach of the University of North Carolina football team in 1896. From 1897 to 1898, he was associated with the Buck Johnston Abstract Co. in Memphis, Tennessee.

He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia. Camp Gordon Johnston in Carrabelle, Florida was named in his honor.

Medal of Honor citation Citation:

Voluntarily took part in and was dangerously wounded during an assault on the enemy's works.

Head coaching record