Patriot Guard Riders

Honor Mission

Billy James Johnson, KIA

USN – WWII
San Felipe, New Mexico – 08-19-19

The Patriot Guard Riders of New Mexico have been requested by the family to honor Fireman First Class Billy James Johnson. Billy James Johnson enlisted in the US Navy on August 7, 1940 at the age of 19. He was assigned to the USS Oklahoma and reported for duty on October 12, 1940. The USS Oklahoma was a Nevada class battleship in the United States Pacific Fleet and its duty was to protect convoys crossing the ocean. On December 7, 1941, the USS Oklahoma was attacked by the Japanese, capsized and was mostly submerged in the water. Hundreds of men were trapped inside and could not escape the overturned hull. Thirty two men were successfully rescued. Of the 1,353 personnel that served the USS Oklahoma, 429 were eventually identified as missing and presumed dead, including Fireman First Class Billy James Johnson. Through DNA samples of family members, Billy’s remains were identified on February 26, 2019. His family was notified on February 28, 2019. Of the 429 men that were lost, he was the 200th identified, 78 years after he went missing.

Black Mesa Travel Center

26 Hagen Rd
San Felipe, New Mexico 87106

Billy Crain – bdcrain50@gmail.com – 505-263-8771

Staging Time: 08:15 am

Briefing: 08:45 am

Kick Stand Up: 09:00+/- for travel to and arrive by 10 am: Berardinelli Funeral Home, 1399 Luisa Street, Santa Fe, NM 87505.

Escort: 10:30 am escort to Santa Fe National Cemetery and establish Flag Line.