CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – (CLARKSVILLENOW) The Department of Defense Vietnam War 50th Commemoration presented a Certificate of Honor Thursday to Yvonne Pickering, Military Affairs Program Coordinator for the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Pickering was recognized for the service of her father, Master Sergeant Denning Johnson, who died on April 4, 1975 in the crash of a U.S. Air Force C-5A cargo plane transporting children which was called Operation Babylift. In all the crash killed at least 180 Vietnamese children, U.S. citizens and members of the U.S. Military.
The certificate was presented by the Chairman of the Vietnam War 50th Commemoration of the American Legion for Dover Post #72, U.S. Air Force SMSgt (retired) Howard E. Cross and Pickering said the time and effort Cross put into making this happen was overwhelming.
“My father would have turned 80 years old August 1. Our family lost him a very long time ago, so for my Tennessee friends and the American Legion Post 72 in Dover to make this happen for an airman from North Carolina and his family is a beautiful and meaningful event that I am grateful for and will never forget,” said Pickering.