Major Gordon Johnson of Newtown will received his insignia of rank from Major General Thaddeus J. Martin, Adjutant General of the Connecticut National Guard, during a military ceremony on Sunday, March 18, at 11 am, at the Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard on the campus of Fairfield Hills.

Major Johnson will take over as the new commandant of the Second Company.

The son of Gordon V. Johnson, a World War II veteran who served in the US Navy in the Pacific arena, and the former Doris Hinck of New York City, Major Johnson resides on a small horse farm in Newtown with his wife, Susan; daughter, Kindra; and sons Gordon, Michael and Chris.

Major Johnson was born in Bridgeport in 1951 and grew up in Trumbull, where he enjoyed riding horses in his free time. He attended Bridgeport Engineering Institute and then graduated from Bullard Havens Vo-Tech School in Bridgeport.

Major Johnson is currently a master plumber and master HVAC Contractor in the State of Connecticut.

In 1992, Major Johnson moved his family to Newtown and when daughter Kindra joined the local Pony Club, he became very active in promoting Pony Club activities in the area. Both Major Johnson and his daughter joined the Second Company in 2002. Major Johnson moved quickly from the rank of Private, to PFC and to Second Lieutenant, serving as the Troop Coronet. He then became the Training and Operations Officer. Corporal Kindra Johnson is now an assistant squad leader and also in the Tack Department. 

Major Johnson serves as a volunteer in the Hawleyville Fire Department and as an EMT with the Newtown Ambulance Corps. Recently, he formed his own company, Hinck LLC, and also volunteers with the Connecticut National Guard Handy Person Hotline, using his plumbing and HVAC skills helping the families of our deployed soldiers.

Prior to elections held in January 7, Major Johnson was in charge of training and operations and has been overseeing the training of recruits and, as for operations, setting schedules for all activities - including drill, parades and annual training – at Camp Rell.

The Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard is an all-volunteer state militia unit, under the direction of the Connecticut Army National Guard. Chartered in 1808, it is one of the oldest continuously serving Cavalry Units in the US. Second Company members participate in weekly drills and numerous parades and ceremonies.

The troop also runs a therapeutic riding program, Saddle Up for Life, which serves Southbury Training School and a limited lesson program for disabled and disadvantaged individuals. The troop also sponsors a trail ride fund-raiser for which all proceeds go to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and a “Turkey Trot” to raise food for local food pantries.

The Second Company boasts more than 40 troopers and nearly three dozen mounts, including three rescued wild mustangs.

Troop Facts

4The troop was originally based in New Haven and in 1824 escorted the Marquis de Lafayette.

4In 1901, the troop was organized as part of the Connecticut National Guard.

4In 1916, the troop was activated during the Border Conflict with Mexico.

4In WWI, the troop was activated as Troop A, machine gun support units in France.

4In WWII, the troop was activated as Anti Aircraft units in Australia.

4The Troop has participated in many Presidential Inaugural parades, most recently in 1977, 1981, 1985, 1997, 2001 and 2005.