Gordon Johnston (Medal of Honor)

Gordon Johnston
Gordon Jonston, Medal of Honor recipient
Born	(1874-05-25)May 25, 1874 Birmingham, Alabama
Died	March 8, 1934(1934-03-08) (aged 59) Fort Sam Houston, Texas
Place of burial	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1898–1934
Rank	Colonel
Unit	6th Infantry Regiment
Battles/wars	Spanish–American War Battle of Las Guasimas Battle of San Juan Hill Philippine–American War First Battle of Bud Dajo World War I Meuse-Argonne Offensive
Awards	Medal of Honor Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star (3) Purple Heart Officer of the Legion of Honor (France)

Gordon Johnston (May 25, 1874 – March 8, 1934) was an American soldier, Medal of Honor recipient and football player and coach. He played at the tackle position for Princeton University and served as the head coach of the University of North Carolina football team in 1896. He served as an officer in the United States Army during the Spanish–American War, the Philippine–American War and World War I, and received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Philippine–American War.

Gordon Johnston was the son of Confederate General Robert Daniel Johnston, and was born in "the old home" near Birmingham, Alabama. After graduating from Birmingham High School, Johnston enrolled at Princeton University in New Jersey. While attending the university, Johnston played college football as a tackle for two years in 1894 and 1895. Football historian Parke H. Davis described Johnston as a "high spirited, fleetfooted, dashing" football player at Princeton. Johnston became a member of The Tiger Inn. He graduated from Princeton in 1896 and became the head football coach of the University of North Carolina football team in 1896.

In 1896, he also worked in the insurance business as a member of the Johnston & Badham firm in North Carolina. From 1897 to 1898, he was associated with the Buck Johnston Abstract Co. in Memphis, Tennessee.