JOHNSEN, Deborah Lee

Sergeant First Class Deborah Lee Johnsen was born in Middletown, Connecticut, on October 3, 1966, the daughter of Norman and Sarah Johnsen. She lived in Groton, Connecticut, and Chittenango, New York, before she moved to Glendale, Arizona, in 1975. Deborah was always busy. From the time she was eleven years old and had a paper route, Deborah worked. She took pride in everything she did and strived for perfection. She was an excellent swimmer and became a lifeguard and certified diver. Deborah loved animals and trained dogs; horses were her passion, and she was an excellent equestrian. She liked to ski, run, hike, climb and explore. While she maintained good grades in school, Deborah excelled in basketball, baseball, and many other sports. Debby graduated from Cactus High School in 1984. Deborah moved to Hawaii, but returned to the Phoenix area in 1986, to help care of her gravely ill Mother. For four years Deborah dedicated her time to the care of her Mother, while she maintained an independent household, worked full-time and attended college part-time. After her Mother received a liver transplant and her Mother's health improved, Deborah entered the United States Army in 1990. Military Police school at Fort McClellan, Alabama, was her first destination. Then, she served with the Law Enforcement Company at the Presidio in San Francisco, California, and the 164th Military Police Company. She toured most of Europe while she was stationed with the 554th Military Police Company in Germany. Her next assignment was Headquarters Company, at the United States Army Garrison, at Vint Hill Farms Station, Virginia. Deborah won an award as the finest soldier at that base, and an award for the region. At Fort McClellan, Alabama, Deborah served as a drill sergeant for three years with A-Company, 787th Military Police Battalion. On September 11, 2001, Debby was stationed in Southwest Asia. Then she was assigned to the 759th Military Police Corps Support at Fort Carson, Colorado. Some of Deborah's awards and decorations include: Meritorious Service Medal; the Army Commendation Medal, with two oak leaf clusters; the Joint Service Achievement Medal; the Army Achievement Medal, with seven oak leaf clusters; the Army Superior Unit Award; the German Armed Forces Efficiency Badge (bronze); Overseas Service Ribbon; Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, with the numeral three; the National Defense Service Medal, with bronze clasp and four loops; and the Joint Service Achievement Medal. At about 3:40 p.m., on April 25th, 2003, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Deborah was riding her motorcycle with her best friend. The speed of the traffic was about 37 miles an hour in a 35 miles per hour zone. A man in a truck in front of her suddenly applied his brakes and drastically reduced his speed. Deborah decided to stop to the right, but the person in the truck made a sharp turn to the right. At that point, Deborah swerved to the left. Her right brake pedal scraped the pavement; she lost control of the rear brake and was thrown in the air. The right side of her helmet took most of the impact. Deborah was immediately unconscious. At a nearby hospital, Deborah passed away at 3:53 p.m. on April 25th, 2003. Perhaps, a careful review of her accident will save a life in the future? She was only 36 years of age. At the time of her death, she was close to a degree in Criminal Justice. Deborah was preceded in death by her Grandparents, Henry and Dagmar Johnsen, and William Vincent and Ruth Mitchell Lee. Deborah is survived by her parents, Norman and Sarah Johnsen; one sister, Vivian Phelan; one nephew, David Waddell; and three nieces, Deborah Waddell, Christina Waddell and Ruth-Mary Phelan. Deborah Lee Johnsen has two uncles, Henry J. Johnsen and William D. Lee; and one aunt and her husband, Evelyn and John J. Breider. She also has eight cousins, Paul Breider, Susan Johnsen, Barbara Foster, John Breider Jr., James Lee, JoAnne Adlon, Vincent Lee and Nicolas Sibrain. A Memorial Service was held on April 30th, 2003, at Fort Carson, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Her senior officers said, "Deborah always set the example and led from the front... She possessed exceptional professionalism, candor, and tireless energy... She demanded excellence from her soldiers and gave the same back to them." On May 1st, 2003, another Memorial Service was held at Guantanamo Bay, in Cuba. Deborah was described as a person "who worked tirelessly for the welfare of her soldiers... a leader who was tough but fair... a prime mentor and outstanding teacher." Seven soldiers fired three volleys, which echoed through the hills. A piper played "Amazing Grace." Deborah's funeral was in Phoenix, Arizona, on May 3rd, 2003. She will have a headstone in her ancestral home of Connecticut. Her ashes will be spread from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Deborah was always in charge; she lifted our spirits and led the parade. With a quick smile and a gentle wit, she possessed integrity, intuition, perception, empathy, honor and determination. Our problems were solved by her. She would discuss practices and make us think. Her logic was extraordinary; therefore, she won most debates. Deborah cared. She was an intrepid soldier who touched many souls. Deborah is deeply loved.