This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr.
to remember
Johnson, Gerald Walter, Lt Gen USAF(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Owenton, Kentucky
Last Address Saint Petersburg, Florida
Date of Passing Sep 09, 2002
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
He destroyed 16.5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat before he was shot down and became a POW in France Mar 27, 1944. He later had a distinguished career in the USAF.
His DSC citation: Awarded for actions during World War II
(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Gerald W. Johnson (ASN: 0-659306), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Fighter Airplane in the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 17 August 1943, in the European Theater of Operations On this date, Captain Johnson shot down two enemy aircraft and assisted in the destruction of a third. Captain Johnson's unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
General Orders: Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 83 (1943)
Aircraft/Missile Information
The Boeing Company's model 367-80 was the basic design for the commercial 707 passenger plane as well as the KC-135A Stratotanker. In 1954 the Air Force purchased the first 29 of its future 732-plane fleet. The first aircraft flew in August 1956 and the initial production Stratotanker was delivered to Castle Air Force Base, Calif., in June 1957. The last KC-135 was delivered to the Air Force in 1965.
Of the original KC-135A's, more than 415 have been modified with new CFM-56 engines produced by CFM-International. The re-engined tanker, designated either the KC-135R or KC-135T, can offload 50 percent more fuel, is 25 percent more fuel efficient, costs 25 percent less to operate and is 96 percent quieter than the KC-135A.
Specifications StatsCentral Model Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker Length 136.25 ft | 41.53 m Width 130.84 ft | 39.88 m Height 41.67 ft | 12.70 m Engine(s) 4 x CFM F108 turbofan engines generating 22,000lbs of thrust each. Empty Weight 106,307 lbs | 48,220 kg MTOW 322,503 lbs | 146,285 kg Max Speed 610 mph | 982 km/h | 530 kts Max Range 2,880 miles | 4,635 km Ceiling 41,719 ft | 12,716 m | 7.9 miles Climb Rate 1,290 ft/min (393.2 m/min) Hardpoints 0 Armament None. Accommodations 3
