The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, PFC Johnny Thomas Fuller, who died in the service of his country on September 30th, 1968 in Quang Duc Province, Vietnam. The cause of death was listed as Small Arms/AW. At the time of his death Johnny was 20 years of age. He was from Dallas, Georgia. Johnny is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 42W, Line 46.
The decorations earned by PFC Johnny Thomas Fuller include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.
(From His Obituary)
Pfc. Johnny Thomas Fuller, 20, lost his life in the Republic of Vietnam September 30, 1968. Full military honors were held at the White Oak Baptist Church on Saturday afternoon, October 19, at 2 o'clock. Lt. Col. James E. Tuecker, the Rev. J. Edwin Wix, and the Rev. Charles Williams officiated. Internment was in the church cemetery.
Pfc. Fuller was born in Paulding County January 19 1948, the son of James Oliver Fuller and Caldona Baxter Fuller of Route 5 Dallas. He was drafted into the service January 22 1968, and is the first Paulding County draftee to lose his life in Vietnam
Survivors include his parents; three sisters. Mrs. Nancy Harris of Buchanan, Miss Connie Fuller and Miss April Fuller of Dallas; three brothers. J.O. Fuller Jr., Mr. David Fuller and Mr. Ricky Fuller all of Dallas.
Johnny is buried in the White Oak Cemetery in Dallas, GA.
(His Silver Star Citation)
General Orders 5993, Award Of The Silver Star, 4th Division, 19 November 1968
For gallantry in action while engaged in military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Private First Class Fuller distinguished himself while serving as a Rifleman with C, 2/35th Infantry. On 30 September 1968, Private First Class Fuller's platoon was conducting combat operations north of Duc Lap. As his squad, the point element, was maneuvering along the wood line of an adjacent highway it suddenly received intense small arms, machine gun, mortar, and B-40 rocket fire to its front and right flank from an estimated NVA Company. Immediately, Private First Class Fuller engaged the enemy with accurate rifle fire in an attempt to momentarily break contact and allow his squad to withdraw. As the fight intensified Private First Class Fuller, knowing that the numerically superior enemy forces would soon overcome him, elected to hold his position to allow his comrades to withdraw under his protective fire. It was while defending this position that he was mortally wounded. Private First Class Fuller's bravery in the face of extreme danger was instrumental in preventing further friendly casualties. His courageous acts, preserving concern for the welfare of his fellow soldiers, and exemplary devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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