The following feature appears in the June 10 2026 edition of the Star Valley Independent Summer Guide which highlights The Wall That Heals and America 250 –

In the spring of 1968, Dale William Johnson left his home in Star Valley and headed to boot camp. The war in Vietnam was underway and the 19-year-old, son of Dale “Bob” and Helen Walker Johnson had been drafted.

He left behind the family farm in Auburn where he had worked through the changing seasons with siblings Connie, Steve, Ballard and Arthur.

He didn’t return home. Dale Johnson was one of 58,220 service veterans that gave their life in the Vietnam War.

They are remembered with the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington, D.C.  and on the traveling replica, “The Wall that Heals,” coming to Star Valley, July 9-12.

The visit this summer will hold meaning for the Johnson Family and others who lost loved ones in Vietnam.

Brothers Steve and Ballard, recall the days when their brother was called into service.  “I remember him getting drafted, and how my Dad wanted him to join, so he could go for three years, and not go to Vietnam,” recalled Steve, “but he wanted to get it over with, so he let them go ahead and draft him.”

He continued,  “I just remember it being honorable,” he said. “Even though it wasn’t a popular war anytime, then or now, he was willing to go and put his time in.”

He added, “I am  so proud of him for having the courage to go to the army and go to someplace that far away from home.”

Sending a brother off to Vietnam was a challenge for the Star Valley family. “Growing up in the same house with Dale, and Steve, Connie, and Art, we were a close knit family,” Ballard recalled.  “We all looked up to our older siblings, and in this case, an older brother seemed to always be bigger than life and all the things that he was  able to do, and accomplish.”

Ballard recalled Dale, for his musical skills. “He was a great guitar player, and so just everything about him was, uh, bigger than life, for me.”

When the draft came the family was aware of the dangers.

“I was at junior high age at the time that he was drafted and  I remember those times as a family being concerned for his safety,” said Ballard. “We knew that things in Vietnam were not good.”

He continued, “There were television reports day in and day out of number of casualties and the different battles. And so we knew that there was a lot of concern for him, and I know a lot of prayers were said for him.”

The family experienced what many families experienced  with the Vietnam war. “When he was  killed, that really brought to light the reality of the terrible price of war, what is paid for our freedoms and our liberties.

Wounded by a camouflaged device, Dale suffered multiple injuries to his body, that included a broken jaw and leg.

Steve said the initial reports indicated he was in very serious condition but an additional notice came advising his condition had improved,  offering some hope  to the family.

“He was actually improving, and we were thinking, ‘well, we’re gonna get him home, and he’s gonna be safe and sound.’ ” However, Steve added, “He was able to come home, but not the way that we had hoped.”

The family learned of Dale’s death with a uniformed officer’s visit to their Auburn home. Steve recalled the day. “Mom answered the knock at the door one day and it was a serviceman in full uniform, and when she saw him at the door, she pretty well knew what his business was there that day, and it was a pretty heartbreaking time for our family.”

Family, friends and Star Valley gathered at Dales funeral services to honor their respects.

“We had a ton of support from all of the aunts and uncles and cousins, it was a big deal that Dale was serving in the war,” Ballard recalled. “It was probably one of the biggest funerals I ever remember being at. The church was full, from front to back.”

Years later, representing the family, the brothers emphasized their respect for Dale’s service.

“We’re just so proud that Dale was able to represent our family, our valley. Wyoming and the United States in preserving the freedoms that we hold dear,” Ballard offered. “He was willing to do that for people that he would probably never meet, and probably not even know, but was still willing to do that, and we are just super proud of him and his service. “

Acknowledging the visit of the Vietnam Memorial with the Wall That Heals this summer, the Johnsons said they appreciate the opportunity to honor their brother at that event but they also emphasized respect for everyone who has served in the military.

Speaking for the family, he said. “We certainly appreciate all that our local veterans do every Memorial Day, and at other veterans’ funerals, in the things that they do to honor our veterans.”

Ballard offered a personal note on the loss of his brother. “We know that war has a terrible price to exact at times, and Dale was part of that. He was called to give the ultimate sacrifice in war.” Ballard concluded. “We know from our faith there are bigger things beyond, and we know that Dale is in a good place and doing good things, and as a family we will see him again.”