Rank: Sergeant
Unit: B Troop, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
MOS: 11D – Armor Reconnaissance Specialist
Awards: Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device, Purple Heart Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Badges: Combat Infantryman Badge
Unit awards: Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm device
Enlisted by: Regular
Date of birth: 23-Sep-1945
Hometown: Wichita Falls, Texas
Marital status: Never Married
Campaign: Vietnam Conflict
Entered service: 6-Jan-1964
Start of tour: 15-Oct-1966
Incident date: 26-Feb-1967
Date of casualty: 26-Feb-1967
Age at death: 21
Cause of death: Hostile, Died. Grenade. Multiple fragmentation wounds.
Johnny Edward Brumley was on combat operation when hit by fragments from hostile recoilless rifle round.
Five Blackhorse troopers died as a result of this incident
SP4 Jesse L. Brandon
SGT Johnny Edward Brumley
SP4 Rodger Dale Lewis
SP4 Harry Mathis Jr
PVT Carlos Medina
Location of fatality: Tay Ninh, South Vietnam
Place of interment: Crestview Memorial Park, Wichita Falls, Texas, USA
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BRONZE STAR MEDAL
WITH VALOR DEVICE
POSTHUMOUS
SERGEANT JOHNNY EDWARD BRUMLEY
26 FEBRUARY 1967
B TROOP, 1st SQUADRON
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
Sergeant Brumley distinguished himself by heroism in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force on 26 February 1967, while serving with Troop B, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Sergeant Brumley distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as the commander of an armored cavalry assault vehicle with Troop B. The unit was participating in a search and clear operation during Operation JUNCTION CITY, in Tay Ninh proVince, Republic of Vietnam. While attempting to reach a cavalry platoon under enemy siege, Sergeant Brumley directed his armored vehicle into the dense jungle, where he discovered a large command detonated antitank mine. Immediately realizing that he had penetrated the defense of a Viet Cong base camp, he alerted his platoon leader and other participating elements of the impending danger. After warning his comrades, Sergeant Brumley forged dauntlessly ahead attempting to search out the Viet Cong despite the obvious threat to his life. Seconds later, he was mortally wounded when an enemy rocket pierced the cupola of his vehicle. Sergeant Brumley’s outstanding display of courage and unhesitating actions enabled the remainder of his platoon to bypass the danger and bring the base camp under fire, inflicting one enemy casualty and capturing valuable intelligence information. Through his courage and outstanding leadership, Sergeant Brumley contributed immeasurably to the success of the mission. His personal bravery and 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.
Headquarters, II Field Force Vietnam General Orders No. 405 (20 March 1967)
ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL
WITH VALOR DEVICE
SERGEANT JOHNNY E BRUMLEY
2 December 1966
B TROOP, 1st SQUADRON
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
Specialist Four Brumley distinguished himself by valorous actions on 2 December 1966 while commanding an armored vehicle in relief of an engaged convoy near Suoi Cat. Exposing himself to the intense hostile fire, he dauntlessly fired into the insurgent position until he had expended his ammunition belt. As Specialist Brumley attempted to reload his machine gun, he was seriously wounded in the shoulder. Despite his painful wound, he managed to load the weapon, bat was forced to relinquish command when he became too weak to fight. Demonstrating exceptional composure and determination, Specialist Brumley continued to pass ammunition, and encouraged and supervised his crew’s activities. Through his courage and personal example, he inspired those around him and helped to defeat the Viet Cong force. Specialist Brumley’s heroic actions and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Headquarters, United States Army Vietnam General Orders No. 245 (19 January 1967)