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DEL.ICIO.USA soldier ‘you never forget’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dave Hirschman
Staff Sgt. John Mason puts on a protective suit as he prepares to detonate a corpse IED next to an irrigation canal in Mahmudiyah in July.
Staff Sgt. Johnnie Mason wasn’t a member of the 48th Brigade Combat Team, and he was a native of Texas, not Georgia.
But the explosives expert with the quick, Johnny Depp smile and offbeat sense of humor earned the Georgians’ admiration by defusing scores of roadside bombs aimed at them.
Mason was killed Dec. 19 in Mahmudiyah by insurgents who apparently targeted him personally.
Mason had just destroyed a roadside bomb in the dusty, violent town south of Baghdad when someone called his attention to a suspicious-looking trash bag nearby. The tall, gangly 32-year-old career soldier approached it, then turned to his fellows and yelled for them to seek protection in their Humvees. At that moment, the hidden bomb exploded, killing Mason. No one else was hurt.
Mason was scheduled to be home celebrating his daughter’s birthday in Clarksville, Tenn., where he was stationed, the day before he was killed. But the Army kept him in Iraq because of fears of insurgent violence around the time of the Dec. 15 elections.
Mason was married with two children — a daughter, Ashley, and son, Adam.
“He found humor in everything he did,” said Brook Mason, his widow. “He could read technical manuals and wiring diagrams and instantly understand them, and he’d be smiling the whole time. He loved what he did because he knew it saved lives, and he cared about the people around him. He enjoyed his work and thought his job was fun. I supported him because I wanted him to be happy — and he was.”
Mason kept his composure through some of the most ghastly and disturbing situations in Iraq. He defused bombs planted in rotting corpses and animals, knowing all the while that bomb disposal experts were prized targets for insurgents.
He was nearly killed in July when a bomb went off prematurely. The blast temporarily knocked out his hearing, gave him a raging headache and covered him with dirt and grime. But 15 minutes later, he was back on the job at the very same spot, neutralizing deadly artillery shells that hadn’t exploded the first time.
Front-line infantry soldiers, a hard crowd to impress, marveled at Mason’s bravery.
“You are, without a doubt, nuts!” Sgt. Guillermo Thorne of the 1st Battalion, 108th Armor Regiment told Mason admiringly that day.
Mason, a member of the 717th Explosive Ordnance Detachment, kept up a steady banter riding in military vehicles on Iraq’s demolition derby roads, and he frequently prodded drivers to be more aggressive. When his Humvee sideswiped a truck in heavy traffic, Mason clapped the driver on the shoulder approvingly and quipped, “If you ain’t rubbing, you ain’t racing!”
Lt. Col. John King, the 1st Battalion commander, said members of the mortar platoon who worked with Mason regularly have taken his death hard. The battalion left Mahmudiyah in November, but the mortar platoon plans to return for Mason’s memorial service.
“We will miss Johnnie very much,” said King, Doraville’s police chief in civilian life. “He was one of those soldiers you never forget. Mahmudiyah has a way of humbling the best of us. We pay very close attention to the number of soldiers that have been lost there, but when you know the names behind those numbers, that changes you forever.”
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By Saddened Again
December 23, 2005 01:48 PM | Link to this
May our Lord whose birthday we are preparing to celebrate rejoice at the arrival of his newest Angel in combat gear and send His Agnels to console those who are grieved by SSG Mason’s death. May his family find some solace in knowing he was held in high esteem by his military family and they will miss him as well and may Mrs. Mason, Ashley and Adam find comfort in knowing SSG Mason is spending Christmas with our Lord in Heaven.
I pray for the safety of all our Military and send holiday greetings to all. I also pray that all of them will return home soon.
I hope the insurgents were, or are, found and get their just due tenfold. I am so sickened of hearing that our troops are ambushed and killed in such a cowardly way - at least give us an even playing field.
By 1LT Bailey
December 23, 2005 02:34 PM | Link to this
RIP brother. 1LT Bailey Kandahar, Afghanistan
By 1LT Wallace Moore, GaSDF
December 24, 2005 10:00 AM | Link to this
A real hero. Imagine how many Soldiers he has saved by his diligent work. GOD will richly reward him with a place in heaven. Thanks to his family for sharing him. As LTC King said, Soldiers like SSG Mason are unforgetable. May Peace be with all our Soldiers and their families as we celebrate the “reason for the season, JESUS”. And MAY GOD BLESS THE USA.
By Sgt Mark E. Morrison
December 24, 2005 10:24 AM | Link to this
I am in the 48th BCT and had the pleasure of being in Mahmudiyah with SSG Mason. I was on the 48th BCT MITT team.
I first met him one morning inside of the TOC. I was in there to get any info on what was going before we left to go train the Iraqi soldiers. He was in there looking for work. He was saying how he hated being inside of his tent all day. He wanted to go out and get destroy some IED’s. I don’t think they had anything for him that day. The next day we got a tip about and vehicle IED near the hospital. He was in such a rush to get out and destroyed it that he left the AJC reporter Mr. Dave Hirschman behind. Mr. Hirschman was to ride with him that day. Later on in the day I asked him “If we gave him enough work today?” He told me that it was a rough one. One of his robots caught on fire when the IED’s went off. But he will be ok. Cause we will get another one. The bottom line was that we saved soldiers and civilians lives today. He wanted to be busy like that everyday.
Whenever I would see him on the FOB he was always smiling and telling stories to anyone who would listen. In the DFAC everybody telling him hello and asking him how was his day? He was always talking to soldiers.
YOU WILL BE MISSED SSG MASON!
To Mrs. Brook Mason know that your husband was loved by the soldiers of the 108 AR (Roughriders) He was happiest when he was doing his job. Right now I know he is up in Heaven telling some of his great stories to everyone!
May GOD BLESS Mrs. Brook Mason, ADAM, and ASHLEY.
SGT Mark E. Morrison
By 1LT John McRae
December 24, 2005 11:23 AM | Link to this
As a member of the 648th Engineers, we had the experience to work with this fine NCO on several occasions as we ran route sweeps in Baghdad AO. He had a great sense of humor and was a true professional. We are saddened to hear of the loss.
By Spc Michael Koch
December 25, 2005 06:02 PM | Link to this
My name is Spc Michael Koch. I’m part of the HHC 1-108AR Mortar Platoon. For almost 7 months we worked closely with Johnnie in Mahmudiyah, and he has made a lasting impression on us all. He was a good soldier, and a good friend. His upbeat mood always kept us in good spirits, even on some really long days messing with IEDs. I always said when we got back home that I’d come visit him, that’s not going to happen now. I know you’re still out there watching out for us like you always have. I’ll miss you Johnnie.
Spc Michael P. Koch US ARMY, IRAQ
By amanda McElrea
December 25, 2005 08:11 PM | Link to this
Hi, my name is amanda McElrea. I am an EOD wife in Yakima Washington. Brook, my heart goes out to you more than you know. I met your husband in Florida at Eglin air Force Base a few years ago when my husband was in your husband’s class. He used to come over to my house every saturday to play dungeons and dragons with my husband, Winston McElrea. Of all of the people we have met , I will always remember your hubby because he always had a hug for me when I would make snacks for the guys playing D+D. I am not a huggy type of person, but Jon was so sweet and so genuinely nice. I spoke with my husband on a satellite call this morning from Iraq and he told me that Jon had been killed, I have been numb all day. It is hard to stomache news like this on Christmas, especially when he is so far away, but I just wanted to let you know we have been thinking of you and your family all day, and nothing else. God he was a funny guy, and so nice, and I feel blessed to have just known him. He is greatly missed already Brook…..amanda mcelrea
By Bob Perrow
December 25, 2005 11:00 PM | Link to this
My son in law said today that we in the US are long on celebrities and short on heroes. A celebrity only remains famous as long as he is in the news. A hero lasts forever. SSgt Mason was a hero. He did a hard job without hesitation, and he saved lives of Iraqis and Americans. May God bless him, his wife, and his family. May God keep all our troops, and my favorite Marine safe.
Semper Fi
By Dustin H
December 26, 2005 06:23 AM | Link to this
God bless u and your family! we are loosing some of our best members of society over there. Are thoughts and prayers are with you all.
By 1LT Chris Kehl
December 26, 2005 10:45 AM | Link to this
Thank you to the 108th Chain of Command, because 108th’s Mortars and Combat Stress were there in Baghdad to say goodbye.
SSG Johnnie “5” Mason, you will be more than missed. I also have a feeling you are still around, because it was the most comical, surreal trip from “down here” to Camp Liberty to say goodbye. Never a dull moment with the Mortars, right?
EOD Family, I will be at Eglin AFB for annual services next year and stop in at Ft Campbell when I get home this Spring.
Air is clear SSG Johnnie “5” Mason. God Speed and bless your family.
CHRISTOPHER C. KEHL JR. 1LT, AR, Ga ARNG Mortar Platoon Leader - PUNISHER6 HHC, 1/108th AR CSC Scania, Iraq
By Kat Orr
December 26, 2005 09:55 PM | Link to this
I just saw this, and my heart is broken.. I am so terribly sorry to hear of the loss of this sweet hero… I will be praying for his family, and for all the 48th…
Hang in there, guys. Us here back home and standing behind you 200%, keeping you close in thought and in prayer.
We love y’all and are proud of you.
Much love,
“Momma Kat” Orr Loganville, GA
By John
December 27, 2005 05:36 PM | Link to this
Johnnie not only served his country, dying doing what he loved, but he also voluntered his time serving his community. Johnnie was a Reserve Deputy Sheriff, back in Clarksville, with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. He will be missed greatly.
By Matt Saxton
December 28, 2005 12:15 PM | Link to this
Dave: Thanks so much for this exceptional article on Johnnie. He was a true American hero. We will always remember him for his quick wit and contagious smile. We are praying for his bride and his two young ones. God be with them.
MAJ S
By Bill Thorne
December 29, 2005 09:14 AM | Link to this
Staff Sgt. Johnnie Mason - A SOldier! Member of an EOD Team. Expert! A Man. A Father! A Husband! A Son! A HERO!!!
There’s no greater gift a MAN can give to his fellow man …
I thank you! I’m proud of you!
Someone said “You are crazy.” In order to do the job one must be different than the rest of the folks around you, no not crazy, just doing the job.
God will watch over those whom you have left behind, fear not. It was part of His plan and we must live accordingly.
Pray for this family and the men and women still doing the JOB!
Semper Fi!