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Contact Info
Home Town Columbia, Missouri and Moline, Kansas
Last Address McLean, Virginia
Date of Passing Nov 10, 1997
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
He is mainly known for being the commanding officer of the 44th Bomb Group and leading it during the attacks on the Ploesti oil fields on Aug 1, 1943, for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor. He then went on to other important posts in the USAAF and USAF. He retired from the Air Force on Jul 1, 1961. He was recalled to active duty on Sep 15, 1961 to become the director of the Net Evaluation Subcommittee Staff on the National Security Council Staff. He retired from active duty a second time on Apr 30, 1965.
His Medal of Honor citation:
Rank and organization: Colonel, U.S. Army Air Corps, 44th Bomber Group, 9th Air Force.
Place and date: Ploesti Raid, Rumania, August 1, 1943. Entered service at: Moline, Kans. Born: September 13, 1904, Columbia, Mo. G.O. No.: 54, September 7, 1943
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry in action and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on August 1, 1943. Col. Johnson, as commanding officer of a heavy bombardment group, let the formation of the aircraft of his organization constituting the fourth element of the mass low-level bombing attack of the 9th U.S. Air Force against the vitally important enemy target of the Ploesti oil refineries. While proceeding to the target on this 2,400-mile flight, his element became separated from the leading elements of the mass formation in maintaining the formation of the unit while avoiding dangerous cumulous cloud conditions encountered over mountainous territory. Though temporarily lost, he reestablished contact with the third element and continued on the mission with this reduced force to the prearranged point of attack, where it was discovered that the target assigned to Col. Johnson's group had been attacked and damaged by a preceding element. Though having lost the element of surprise upon which the safety and success of such a daring form of mission in heavy bombardment aircraft so strongly depended, Col. Johnson elected to carry out his planned low-level attack despite the thoroughly alerted defenses, the destructive antiaircraft fire, enemy fighter airplanes, the imminent danger of exploding delayed action bombs from the previous element, of oil fires and explosions, and of intense smoke obscuring the target. By his gallant courage, brilliant leadership, and superior flying skill, Col. Johnson so led his formation as to destroy totally the important refining plants and installations which were the object of his mission. Col. Johnson's personal contribution to the success of this historic raid, and the conspicuous gallantry in action, and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty demonstrated by him on this occasion constitute such deeds of valor and distinguished service as have during our Nation's history formed the finest traditions of our Armed Forces.
Continental Air Command was a Major Command of the United States Air Force responsible primarily for administering the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve. During the Korean War, ConAC provided the necessary augmentation to the regular Air Force while it rebuilt itself under wartime conditions. Later, during the 1950s, it was a training force for reservists with no prior military service. ConAC provided peacetime airlift missions for the Air Force. It was mobilized twice in 1961 and 1962 by president Kennedy for the Berlin and Cuban Missile Crisis. Lastly, it was used by president Lyndon B. Johnson for airlift operations into the Dominican Republic and South Vietnam.
Mitchel Field was the original home of the Continental Air Command (CONAC). CONAC was established on 1 December 1948. Mitchel Field was the home of CONAC headquarters and remained so until April 1961. In 1961, Mitchel Field was deactivated and CONAC HQ was moved to Robins AFB GA where it remained until CONAC deactivated on 1 August 1968 and was replaced by the Air Force Reserve. At the outset, the Continental Air Command had jurisdiction over the Tactical Air Command and Air Defense Command and focused on tactical aviation, air defense, and the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve programs. In 1950, the Tactical Air Command became an independent organization. The Air Defense Command became an independent organization, in 1951. Beginning in February 1951, CONAC concentrated on administering the two reserve programs.
