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 Titan II was an Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and space launcher developed by the Glenn L. Martin Company from the earlier Titan I missile. The Martin company received a contract for the new missile, designated SM-68B Titan II, in June 1960. The Titan II used storable propellants, Aerozine 50 and dinitrogen tetroxide. Use of storable propellants enabled the Titan II to be launched within 60 seconds directly from within its silo. The first flight of the Titan II was in December 1961 and the missile, now designated LGM-25C, reached initial operating capability in October 1963.
The Titan II was in service from 1963. After two accidents, deactivation of the Titan II ICBM system finally began in July 1982. The last operational Titan II missile was deactivated on May 5, 1987.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
General Information Developed by USA Deployed by USA Development Year 1960 Deployment Year 1963 Retirement Year 1987 Number manufactured 135 Number deployed 49(in 1982) Contractor Martin Marietta
Dimensions and Performance Length 31.3m Body Diameter 3.05m(1st. 2nd. stage) Launch Weight 149,700kg Range 15,000km Accuracy 900m CEP
Components Propulsion 2-stage liquid Payload single warhead Mk 6 RV+penetration aids Warhead W-53 9.0MT nuclear Guidance inertial