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Photos by Michael Lauricella
August 22, 2025
Bandera veteran reunited with iconic flag 59 years after battle
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
A quiet wish whispered to a friend materialized in a reunion that crossed state lines and took one year to coordinate. U.S. Coast Guard Veteran Johnny Camp once again held his iconic American flag, damaged in battle and presented to him for heroic valor 59 years ago.
On Thursday, Aug. 21, Camp, 91, arrived at the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg to see his beloved flag, which flew on the Point Slocum vessel for the last time in Vietnam on June 20, 1966. Camp kept the flag safe until about five years ago, when he donated it to the U.S. Navy Coast Guard National Museum in New Jersey.
During a visit with Bandera County Veterans Service Officer Michael Lauricella, Camp said he would love to see the flag, one more time. Lauricella reached out to the New Jersey and Fredericksburg museums, setting in motion a collaboration between the two.
Camp joined the U.S. Coast Guard in 1948, when he was 14 years old. He retired after serving 20 years and four months, achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer, and becoming the youngest U.S. Coast Guard retiree.
He served three tours in Korea, Japan and Vietnam.
Camp was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat V for valor above and beyond the call of duty, Combat Action, Coast Guard Commendation, Good Conduct with three stars, Nation Defense, United Nations, Korean Vietnam Service, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Gold Star, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign ribbon and medal.
Tthe National Museum of the Pacific War will host the flag for two weeks, before returning it to New Jersey.
On Thursday, Aug. 21, Camp, 91, arrived at the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg to see his beloved flag, which flew on the Point Slocum vessel for the last time in Vietnam on June 20, 1966. Camp kept the flag safe until about five years ago, when he donated it to the U.S. Navy Coast Guard National Museum in New Jersey.
During a visit with Bandera County Veterans Service Officer Michael Lauricella, Camp said he would love to see the flag, one more time. Lauricella reached out to the New Jersey and Fredericksburg museums, setting in motion a collaboration between the two.
Camp joined the U.S. Coast Guard in 1948, when he was 14 years old. He retired after serving 20 years and four months, achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer, and becoming the youngest U.S. Coast Guard retiree.
He served three tours in Korea, Japan and Vietnam.
Camp was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat V for valor above and beyond the call of duty, Combat Action, Coast Guard Commendation, Good Conduct with three stars, Nation Defense, United Nations, Korean Vietnam Service, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Gold Star, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign ribbon and medal.
Tthe National Museum of the Pacific War will host the flag for two weeks, before returning it to New Jersey.