Man wants airport renamed; faces opposition

It’s been known as Pocatello Regional Airport for decades, but now a Pocatello man says it’s time for the airport to adopt a new name.

Tom Daniels, former historian for the Bannock County Veterans Memorial Association, wants to rename the airport Pocatello Regional Airport Sergeant Johnson Memorial Field in honor of Pocatello native Sgt. James Edmund Johnson.

Johnson died in the Korean War at the age of 24 after already serving during World War II.

“He ordered the withdrawal of his troops, volunteering to stay behind to hold off the enemy,” said Daniels.

Since being posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor — the nation’s highest military honor — in 1954, Daniels said Johnson has mostly been forgotten.

Daniels said he had hoped naming the airport after Johnson would keep his memory alive.

“Every time somebody refers to the airport, they’ll remember Sgt. Johnson,” said Daniels.

But when Daniels pitched the idea last year, he said the airport commission rejected it.

The airport’s director, David Allen, told Local News 8 via phone that the proposal was rejected because Johnson has no ties to aviation.

But Daniels said that hasn’t stopped others.

“The creator of the Peanuts comics, Schultz, has an airport named in his honor,” said Daniels. “An airport in honor of a flier is the exception, not the norm.”

Allen said Daniels is free to take his proposal to Pocatello City Council, which Daniels said he’s considering.

Daniels said Johnson is the only person in Bannock County history to receive the Medal of Honor.