Previously Held MOS 2162-Operations & Training Staff Officer (G3 A3 S3)
Service Years
1958 - 1993
Official/Unofficial US Army Certificates
Cold War Certificate
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Other Comments:
Lieutenant General Johnnie H. Corns commanded the US Army, Pacific, from July 1991 until September 1993, his last major duty assignment. Commissioned as a second lieutenant in November 1958, he went on to serve in the Infantry and Special Forces in Vietnam. The source of his commission was ROTC.
Corns graduated from Marshall University with a Bachelor's degree in Civil Government. He earned a Master of Arts in Public Administration from Shippensburg State College. His military education includes the Armed Forces Staff College and the US Army War College.
His first major command was Brigade Commander for 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Korea from 1978-1979. Upon promotion to Major General, Corns commanded the 6th Infantry Division (Light) as well as Fort Richardson, Alaska from 1986-1988. From there he served as Commanding General, US Army Japan and Commanding General, IX Corps, APO San Francisco until 1989.
Additional major duty assignments for Corns included serving as the Chief of the Plans and Operations Division for the Chief of Legislative Liaison, US Army, as well as Deputy Chief, Legislative Liaison, for the Secretary of the US Army. He served as Assistant Division Commander for the 7th Infantry Division, Fort Ord, California, and Deputy Chief of Staff for Training for the US Army Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Monroe, Virginia. General Corns was the Inspector General for the US Army in Washington, DC from 1989-1991.
Among General Corns' decorations are the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Army General Staff Identification Badge. He retired on 30 November 1993.
Vietnam War/Counteroffensive Phase III Campaign (1967-68)
From Month/Year
June / 1967
To Month/Year
January / 1968
Description This campaign was from 1 June 1967 to 29 January 1968.The conflict in South Vietnam remains basically unchanged. As Operation JUNCTION CITY ended, elements of the U.S. 1st and 25th Infantry Divisions, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, and the forces of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam swung back toward Saigon to conduct another clearing operation, MANHATTAN. This took peace in the Long Nguyen base area just north of the previously cleared "Iron Triangle."
South Vietnamese Armed Forces became more active and capable under U.S. advisors. During the year the Vietnamese Special Forces assumed responsibility for several Special Forces camps and for the CIDG companies manning them. In each case all of the U.S. advisors withdrew, leaving the Vietnamese in full command.
With an increased delegation of responsibility to them, the South Vietnamese conducted major operations during 1967, and, in spite of VC attempts to avoid battle, achieved a number of contacts.
Despite the success of U.S. and South Vietnamese Army operations, there were indications in the fall of 1967 of another enemy build-up, particularly in areas close to Laos and Cambodia. In late October, the VC struck again at the Special Forces Camp at Loc Ninh. Fortunately Vietnamese reinforcements saved the camp. At the same time, approximately 12,000 VC troops converged on a Special Forces camp at Dak To. This camp was located in northern Kontum Province, where the borders of Laos, Cambodia, and South Vietnam meet. In response to this potential threat, the U.S. and South Vietnam committed a total of sixteen battalions to the region to counter a disturbing enemy resurgence at Kontum and Loc Ninh.