Phillip Johnson

Airman Dies in Fall from Rock
ADN, 3/25/74

An Air Force man died Sunday from injuries he received after falling 60 feet to the ground while rock-climbing.

Phillip Johnson, of Company C Airborne was taken to Elmendorf Air Force Base unconscious and in critical condition after slipping on moss-covered rocks near the Knik River Bridge on the Glenn Highway.

Alaska State Troopers said Johnson fell at about 4:20 p.m. Sunday and died in the hospital about three hours later.  They said his death was caused by skull and internal injuries.


Fall On Mountain Fatal to Airman
Times, 3/25/74

Spec. 4 Phillip W. Johnson, 21, of Ft. Richardson, died Sunday about three hours after he fell while rock climbing two-tenths of a mile west of the Knik River Bridge.

He and six friends were climbing when he slipped on mud and fell 60 feet down the mountain.

Alaska State Troopers said Johnson was taken to Elmendorf Air Force Base Hospital by the Eagle River Emergency Squad.  He died there of head and internal injuries.

Johnson had been in Alaska since last June.  He was attached to Company C, First Battalion, 60^th Infantry, 172^nd Infantry Brigade.

Among survivors is his mother, Mrs. Donald S. Johnson of New Milford, Pa.

He lived in barracks on the base.