Wilkes County Veterans History Project: Claude Johnston

Claude Edmond Johnston served as a Corporal in the Army during the Korean War from 1953-55. He received the National Defense Medal and Good Conduct Medal.

Claude Edmond Johnston Jr was born on June 25, 1933, to Claude Edmond Johnston Sr. and Bessie Revina (Roland) Johnston in Wilkes County, North Carolina.  His mother was a homemaker, and his father worked as a night watchman at Wilkesboro Manufacturing.  He had ten siblings: Elbert, Bryce, Lonnie, Clifton, Everette, Arlie, Gordon, Sally, Mary, and Lillie.   Claude, Lonnie, and Gordon all served in the US Army.

Claude attended Flint Hill School, which also was Flint Hill Church.  The school and church shared the same building.  After school, he worked for Chick Haven, the Tam Hutchison Poultry Farm, in North Wilkesboro.  Claude’s family was concerned for his safety when he was drafted, but on the other hand proud that he would be serving the country.

I received “the letter” from Uncle Sam with orders to report to Fort Jackson, South Carolina, to enlist in the United States Army. At the time, I was working for Tam Hutchinson Poultry Farm, also known as Chick Haven. Tam offered to help me avoid going into the Army because he needed me to run the business/farm. He didn’t want me to get into a situation where I could get killed. I said thank you, but no . . . I want to serve my country. Tam was a hard-working, honest, good man. His belief in God, and being a Christian showed in his life, as well as his business practices.

Claude had to leave behind his young bride, Joanne, when he left for boot camp.  There he attended basic training and military police training. He learned to use an M1rifle with bayonet and how to ski cross-country.

A large group of men, including myself, were drafted at the same time. We traveled together by bus to Fort Jackson, South Carolina for induction. I had never been outside of Wilkes County before. The most difficult part was being away from my family. The battalion was filled with men from different places, all with unfamiliar faces. The people were very different from those in Wilkes County.

Claude was stationed at Ladd Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska (renamed Fort Wainwright in 1961).  It was terribly cold, often below zero.  Alaska is identical in climate and terrain to North Korea.  He stayed in touch with his wife and family by writing letters, although Joanne joined Claude soon after he was stationed in Alaska.

We would hang wool Army blankets over the windows to block out the sun at midnight.  After all, Alaska is called the Land of the Midnight Sun during certain times of the year.  We’d never experienced anything like it.  To see the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) was a show of nature that we never forgot.  All those lights dancing across the sky were incredibly beautiful!

We were being trained and ready to go into Korea, but right before we were deployed, the conflict ended.  Our sergeant said, “You boys are going up against the communist and we’re going to whup them son of a bitches.”  I’ve never forgotten him saying that.

I enjoyed Army life, but I was glad to get out when the time came.  I made a lot of friendships with my comrades.  The best part of my service experience was having Joanne with me.  Joanne and I would pick wild blueberries, we saw moose and brown bears, and there was good fishing, snowshoe rabbits, and dog racing.  Once we saw a ten-foot stuffed bear in a museum.

Joanne would often get together with other soldiers' wives to play penny poker.  We saw cabbages as big as a washtub in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. And carrots that reached from fingertip to elbow! The valley’s rich soil and extended daylight produced phenomenal-sized vegetables.  We would often be outside to see the Northern Lights that danced across the night sky. The sight was amazing, and that experience never left our memories.

Claude was discharged in 1955 and returned to the Flint Hill Community to live with his parents.  At that time, Joanne was expecting their first child. They were looking for a home of their own to settle down and raise a family.  Sherry was the firstborn, followed by Lynne and Gwenn (twins).  The family moved to Zollie Eller farm, near W Kerr Scott Dam, and got into the chicken business.  They grew corn on the bottom lands, where the Family YMCA is now located.   Eventually, they moved to Millers Creek and bought 35 acres from a sister-in-law, Sidney Johnston.  This became the family’s final home, and they built two chicken houses.  Two more children, Claudene and David, were born, bringing the total number of offspring to five. 

Duke Power awarded our farm as the first all-electric farm in the county. I built our home as we had the money to do so, and we never had a house payment. I’m not bragging but giving the Lord all the honor.  We raised chickens for Chesterfield, Holly Farms, and Tyson.  In total we raised poultry for sixty years and in 2006, Tyson awarded Joanne and me ‘as Growers of the Year.’  Along with raising poultry, I still farmed and started a landscaping business, C.E. Johnston Jr. Landscaping, that lasted thirty years.

When the children were young, they attended Mountain Valley Baptist Church. In 1969 they joined Millers Creek Baptist Church and as of 2024, they are still members there.  Claude served there as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, and on the grounds committee.

In reflecting on those years in service Claude recalled learning to take orders and to be selfless.  The Army taught him to be strong both physically and mentally.

I’ve always supported our military and been patriotic to our country.  War is sometimes necessary, and it is paramount for our freedom.  I would encourage young people to join our armed services.  Being in the Army made me feel more patriotic.  I think it is important to get to know a veteran.  He or she can share a lot about defending our country and about what a great nation we live in.

In conclusion:

Joanne and I both were involved in the Wilkes County 4H Program.  We consider it an honor to be part of such a great organization for the youth of our county.  Joanne was awarded the Silver Clover in 1980 and I the Gold Clover in 1975 for outstanding leadership and volunteer work in the 4H program.  Four of our children were in the program until they were 18 years old.  God has richly blessed me for being able to defend my country and have a blessed woman as my wife and helpmate.   I always had a job that allowed me to support my family, and I was glad that all five children were raised in a Christian home.  Thanks be to God and thanks be to our great nation!