headed the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge and afterwards worked as a banking executive until retiring for good. Final years Johnson married Dorothy Rennix in 1935. During his term as chief of staff, he had been involved in many policy debates regarding the escalation of the Vietnam War as a proponent of full military mobilization to achieve a pacification of South Vietnam. He considered resigning in protest over President Lyndon B. Johnson's decision not to mobilize the reserves, and at the end of his life expressed regret at not doing so. He was the subject of a biography, Honorable Warrior, by Lewis Sorley. Johnson died on September 24, 1983, in Washington, D.C. Johnson came to regret not opposing the escalation of the Vietnam War, lamenting that "I am now going to my grave with that lapse in moral courage on my back." Tributes "He had an unusual sense of loyalty to the men under him, the kind of thing ordinary soldiers notice and value when they grade an officer..." —Corporal Lester Urban "He was the best, someone born to lead men. I think he was always thinking about what was good for us. Nothing ever got by him." Decorations and awards Dates of rank See also References Further reading Thunderbolt by Lewis Sorley Four Stars by Mark Perry Commanding Generals and Chiefs of Staff (PDF; pp. 144–145): Army biography, a publication of the United States Army Center of Military History External links Harold K. Johnson Collection US Army Heritage and Education Center, Carlisle, Pennsylvania 1912 births 1983 deaths American torture victims Bataan Death March prisoners Burials at Arlington National Cemetery Commandants of the United States Army Command and General Staff College People from Pembina County, North Dakota Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (United States) Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army) Recipients of the Legion of Merit United States Army Chiefs of Staff United States Army Command and General Staff College alumni United States Army generals United States Army personnel of the Korean War United States Army personnel of the Vietnam War United States Army personnel of World War II United States Military Academy alumni World War II prisoners of war held by Japan Recipients of the Philippine Legion of Honor Recipients of the Order of Military Merit (Brazil) Order of National Security Merit members Military personnel from North Dakota