1344:
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.
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40:
586:, the most distant target attacked by the Eighth Air Force up to that time. The B-24, carrying incendiaries, came under particularly heavy attack from German fighters, as they were unable to stay close enough the B-17s to be protected by their gunfire, and had to open up their own formation to attack; five of the eight aircraft shot down were B-24s. For this raid the 44th Bombardment Group received a
2670:
2695:
699:, but also had to deal with USAF headquarters and the Strategic Air Command. He was also designated the point of contact for dealing with the British government. Despite his lowly rank of major general, he was able to hold his own in dealings with more senior British officers, and with senior British officials, including the
1343:
For conspicuous gallantry in action and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 1 August 1943. Col. Johnson, as commanding officer of a heavy bombardment group, led the formation of the aircraft of his organization constituting the fourth element of the mass low-level
612:
had already attacked their target by mistake, and as a consequence, the defenders were alert. Although he would have been justified in turning back, Johnson led his group in through thick smoke, flak and explosions that concealed the tall smokestacks and barrage balloon cables. On the way home, they
620:
Johnson's own plane was charred black by the flames, and hit by flak several times but managed to return safely. In all, 54 of the 177 aircraft involved in the raid were lost, along with 532 of the 1,725 crewmen. Although 42 percent of the refining capacity was destroyed, the
Germans were able to
926:
362:, as it was redesignated in 1951. Despite his lowly rank of major general, he was able to hold his own in dealings with more senior British officers and officials, and performed his duties with diplomacy and sensitivity. He returned to the United States in 1952 as head of the
664:, he was Chief of Personnel Services at Headquarters, Army Air Forces, in Washington, DC, from 28 June 1945 to 15 May 1946. He then became deputy to the Assistant Chief of Air Staff for Personnel from 16 May 1946 to 28 April 1947. He was commander of the
1338:
Rank and organization: Colonel, U.S. Army Air Corps, 44th Bomber Group, 9th Air Force. Place and date: Ploesti Raid, Rumania, 1 August 1943. Entered service at: Moline, Kans. Born: 13 September 1904, Columbia, Mo. G.O. No.: 54, 7 September 1943.
707:. His command was understaffed, lacked a clear mission, and there was no agreement with the British government regarding base rights or financial responsibilities. Nor was it easy dealing with his Strategic Air Command colleagues like
680:
there on 20 August 1948. The division provided facilities for maintenance and support of
Strategic Air Command aircraft on rotational training missions to Europe and for transport aircraft used in the
2775:
2765:
676:, from 1 May 1947 to 2 August 1948, with the rank of major general from 27 October 1947. The Air Force returned to England for the first time since World War II when Johnson organized the
2800:
2825:
2780:
2790:
2755:
2093:
2545:
Biographical
Register of the Officers and Graduates of the US Military Academy at West Point New York Since Its Establishment in 1802: Supplement Volume VIII 1930ā1940
2523:
Biographical
Register of the Officers and Graduates of the US Military Academy at West Point New York Since Its Establishment in 1802: Supplement Volume VII 1920ā1930
2567:
Biographical
Register of the Officers and Graduates of the US Military Academy at West Point New York Since Its Establishment in 1802: Supplement Volume IX 1940ā1950
2327:
2785:
734:, Military Representatives Committee, and NATO Standing Group, stationed in Washington, D.C., from April 1956 until May 1958, when he became air deputy to the
2805:
2745:
795:
next to his wife, Lucille Taylor
Johnson, who had died in 1983. He was survived by his two daughters, Sarah Abbott and Sue Vandenberg, who had married
778:
and worked as a consultant. His hobbies included growing flowers, and he was president of the
National Capitol Dahlia Society. He was interviewed for
621:
soon restore production. The 44th
Bombardment Group received a second Distinguished Unit Citation. For his part in that raid, Johnson was awarded the
2830:
578:. It flew bombing missions against a variety of targets. On 14 May 1943, Johnson led 17 B-24s from the 44th Bombardment Group which, along with 109
457:, as a student officer. He married Lucille Taylor before completion of flight training. They had two daughters, Sue and Sarah. He was next sent to
2835:
2815:
2735:
1132:
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742:
Headquarters in Paris, France. He retired on 31 July 1961, but on 15 September 1961 he was recalled to active duty to become director of the
1271:
246:
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974:
637:
222:
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2021:
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at
Barksdale Field from 15 July 1940 to 12 September 1940, and then its weather officer until 27 December 1940. The group moved to
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1905:
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811:
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Headquarters from 1958 until he retired in 1961, but on later that year he was recalled to active duty to become director of the
2409:
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442:
429:, on 1 July 1922, and graduated 60th out of 152 graduates in the class of 1926 on 12 June 1926. In his final year, he was the
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911:
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in May 1943 and the attack on the Ploesti oil fields in August 1943, for which the 44th Bombardment Group received
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1385:
1036:
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735:
711:, who were not renowned for diplomatic skill. Johnson's deft touch was perhaps exemplified by his order that the
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402:, on 13 September 1904. He had an older brother, a younger brother, and a sister. In 1919, the family moved to
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20:
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792:
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336:
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818:, which holds a large collection of material relating to the 44th Bombardment Group. "There's a book by
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2243:
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673:
484:
in the Philippines. He returned to the United States in July 1935, and on 30 July 1935 he entered the
461:, Texas, for further training with the Observation Section from 15 October 1929 to 28 February 1930.
1523:
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261:(13 September 1904 ā 10 November 1997) was a United States Air Force general who was awarded the
1765:
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1428:
1322:
1185:
1077:
807:
wrote in 1995 that "no infantryman deserved it more than this good and brave Air Force general."
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564:
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363:
255:
169:
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122:
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He died of a respiratory infection on 10 November 1997 at Belvoir Woods health care facility in
2332:
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903:
824:
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571:
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324:
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608:, on 1 August 1943. When Johnson arrived at the target leading his group, he found that the
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and served as assistant chief of staff for operations (A-3) during its formative period at
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695:
As commander of the 3rd Air Division and later the Third Air Force, he was subordinate to
8:
669:
454:
351:
241:
1204:
1055:
2297:
2239:
The World at War - Episode 12 - Whirlwind:Bombing Germany (September 1939 ā April 1944)
1909:
800:
628:
In addition, for his leadership of the 44th Bombardment Group, Johnson was awarded the
415:
399:
62:
504:, Louisiana, as operations officer until 1 July 1937, when he became commander of the
2653:
2634:
2603:
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2120:
1246:
788:
726:, New York. From July 1953, he was concurrently U.S. Air Force Representative to the
708:
552:
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79:
1146:
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on 1 March 1942. He accompanied the Eighth Air Force to England in June 1942.
2709:
1136:
481:
110:
2627:
1162:
453:, and on 1 March 1929 he reported to the Air Corps Primary Flying School at
2504:. The Army Air Forces in World War II. Chicago: University of Chicago Press
845:
747:
556:
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be flown over US bases in the UK alongside the flag of the United States.
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301:
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The 44th Bombardment Group took part in an even more costly raid, the
1016:
819:
762:
Johnson donating his uniform to Col. Robert Ceruti, commander of the
641:
227:
828:", Abbott recalled. "I do feel my grandfather had the right stuff."
1008:
810:
In 2008, Johnson's grandson, Leon Abbott, donated the medal to the
1759:
145:
2498:
Vol. II. Europe: Torch to Pointblank August 1942 to December 1943
2464:
Continental Air Command Reserve Information Office (8 May 1952).
1737:
1715:
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1512:
1489:
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1422:
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661:
39:
2607:
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2068:
472:, as its adjutant and engineering officer, and was promoted to
331:. Johnson led the attack on the German naval installations at
2776:
Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
2065:
2053:
925:
840:
Johnson receiving his Medal of Honor from Lieutenant General
739:
688:
on 1 May 1951. In addition to his other duties, chief of the
406:, where he went to high school. He played on the high school
371:
2766:
Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
2294:"Oil Paintings by David Johnson Vandenberg ā Family History"
730:
Military Staff Committee. He was U.S. Representative to the
648:
from 3 September 1943 until 10 May 1945. He was promoted to
583:
332:
315:, Johnson was one of the first four flying officers of the
2269:"Leon William Johnson ā General, United States Air Force"
547:
Johnson was one of the first four flying officers of the
540:
on 9 May 1941. He became operations officer (A-3) of the
2149:
1933:
1931:
1929:
1927:
532:
on 16 November 1940. He became commander of the group's
319:, and served on it staff during its formative period at
2826:
Recipients of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
2781:
United States Army Air Forces Medal of Honor recipients
2466:"Biography of Major General Leon William Johnson, USAF"
2043:
2041:
2039:
1971:
1969:
1967:
1965:
1963:
1961:
1948:
1946:
2791:
United States Army Air Forces generals of World War II
2570:. Chicago: R. R. Donnelly and Sons, The Lakeside Press
2548:. Chicago: R. R. Donnelly and Sons, The Lakeside Press
2526:. Chicago: R. R. Donnelly and Sons, The Lakeside Press
2173:
449:, on 12 September 1926. He volunteered for service in
2683:
2304:
1924:
2801:
Recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1939ā1945 (France)
2756:
United States Army Air Forces pilots of World War II
2495:
Craven, Wesley Frank; Cate, James Lea, eds. (1949).
2197:
2185:
2036:
1993:
1958:
1943:
418:. After graduation, he worked in the family's bank.
2161:
2137:
1981:
718:On 21 February 1952, he was named commander of the
2626:
2087:
2085:
2083:
570:On 8 January 1943, Johnson assumed command of the
476:on 1 December 1931. On 15 June 1932 he joined the
2412:. Army Center of Military History. Archived from
2358:
2356:
2354:
2352:
2350:
2328:"Grandson donates local general's Medal of Honor"
1865:"Biographical data on Air Force General Officers"
803:. Of Johnson's Medal of Honor, war correspondent
2707:
1908:. West Point Alumni Organisation. Archived from
559:, promotion accelerated, and he was promoted to
2592:. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History.
2080:
296:in 1929, and qualified as a pilot. He earned a
2410:"Medal of Honor recipients World War II (GāL)"
2347:
1133:European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
582:, attacked the German naval installations at
555:. With the United States now a belligerent in
2786:World War II recipients of the Medal of Honor
2679:United States Army Center of Military History
2094:"Leon Johnson, Air Force General, Dies at 93"
750:. He retired a second time on 30 April 1965.
354:. He returned to England in 1948 to lead the
2263:
2261:
2259:
2257:
2255:
2253:
2251:
1897:
1895:
1893:
1891:
1889:
2806:Recipients of the Croix de guerre (Belgium)
2652:. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
2459:
2457:
2455:
2453:
2451:
1729:11 August 1950 (backdated to 2 April 1945)
2494:
2449:
2447:
2445:
2443:
2441:
2439:
2437:
2435:
2433:
2431:
2321:
2319:
2074:
2059:
1707:11 June 1948 (backdated to 25 March 1946)
1333:
528:on 6 October 1940, and he was promoted to
38:
16:United States Air Force general, born 1904
2746:California Institute of Technology alumni
2248:
1886:
831:
606:attack on the Romanian Ploesti oil fields
544:when it was activated in September 1941.
19:For other people with the same name, see
2831:Military personnel from McLean, Virginia
2381:
1257:with a silver and two oak leaf clusters
835:
757:
746:'s Net Evaluation Subcommittee Staff at
592:
389:
378:'s Net Evaluation Subcommittee Staff at
2428:
2364:"Valor awards for Leon William Johnson"
2325:
2316:
1862:
812:U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center
500:on 13 June 1936. He was then posted to
441:on 12 June 1926, and was posted to the
2836:Burials at Arlington National Cemetery
2816:United States Army Air Forces generals
2708:
2621:
2586:Air Force Combat Units of World War II
2582:
2560:
2538:
2516:
2402:
2310:
2091:
2047:
2016:
2014:
2012:
2010:
2008:
1999:
1987:
1975:
1952:
1937:
1901:
1858:
1856:
1854:
1852:
1850:
1848:
1846:
1844:
1842:
1840:
1838:
1836:
1834:
1832:
1830:
1828:
1826:
1824:
1822:
1820:
1818:
1816:
1814:
1812:
1810:
520:Johnson was operations officer of the
2736:United States Military Academy alumni
2647:
2203:
2191:
2179:
2167:
2155:
2143:
1808:
1806:
1804:
1802:
1800:
1798:
1796:
1794:
1792:
1790:
912:Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
346:After the war, Johnson commanded the
323:. In 1943, he assumed command of the
210:Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
2470:Air Force Historical Research Agency
2389:"Veteran tributes ā Leon W. Johnson"
701:Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
655:
464:On 1 March 1930, Johnson joined the
433:of Company C. He was commissioned a
343:from September 1943 until May 1945.
2122:Liberators over Europe, 1942 ā 1945
2005:
1870:. Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama:
753:
496:on 1 July 1936. He was promoted to
13:
2677:from websites or documents of the
1787:
697:United States Air Forces in Europe
690:Military Assistance Advisory Group
536:on 16 December 1940, and then its
486:California Institute of Technology
306:California Institute of Technology
14:
2847:
2796:Recipients of the Legion of Merit
2326:Greaney, T.J. (16 October 2008).
2092:Barnes, Bart (13 November 1997).
1255:Air Force Longevity Service Award
2821:United States Air Force generals
2751:Air Corps Tactical School alumni
2693:
2673: This article incorporates
2668:
1758:
1736:
1714:
1692:
1668:
1646:
1624:
1602:
1580:
1558:
1535:
1511:
1488:
1466:
1443:
1421:
1397:
1373:
1348:
1315:
1298:
1281:
1264:
1245:
1239:
1232:
1225:
1203:
1197:
1178:
1161:
1145:
1123:
1117:
1110:
1103:
1096:
1089:
1070:
1054:
1035:
1029:
1007:
1001:
994:
987:
965:
959:
940:
924:
902:
896:
889:
870:
854:
599:attack on the Ploesti oil fields
414:, and was vice president of his
267:attack on the Ploesti oil fields
144:
103:
2811:Knights of the Legion of Honour
2286:
2231:
2209:
2113:
1658:Air Force of the United States
736:Supreme Allied Commander Europe
515:
512:from 5 June to 25 August 1939.
368:Supreme Allied Commander Europe
2741:Military personnel from Kansas
2731:People from Elk County, Kansas
2726:People from Columbia, Missouri
1863:Fogerty, Dr Robert O. (1953).
1291:, grade of Chevalier (France)
1213:National Defense Service Medal
1062:American Defense Service Medal
423:United States Military Academy
382:. He finally retired in 1965.
278:United States Military Academy
1:
2771:Recipients of the Silver Star
2583:Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) .
2487:
1019:with three oak leaf clusters
580:Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses
385:
284:, Johnson was commissioned a
2650:The American Bomb in Britain
1757:
1735:
1713:
1691:
1667:
1645:
1623:
1601:
1579:
1557:
1534:
1510:
1487:
1465:
1442:
1420:
1396:
1372:
646:14th Combat Bombardment Wing
638:Distinguished Flying Crosses
563:on 5 January 1942, and then
538:10th Reconnaissance Squadron
451:United States Army Air Corps
341:14th Combat Bombardment Wing
337:Distinguished Unit Citations
294:United States Army Air Corps
127:United States Army Air Corps
7:
2761:Recipients of the Air Medal
2273:Arlington National Cemetery
1045:Distinguished Unit Citation
793:Arlington National Cemetery
764:44th Strategic Missile Wing
588:Distinguished Unit Citation
576:Consolidated B-24 Liberator
508:, and was a student at the
488:, from which he received a
366:. He was air deputy to the
329:Consolidated B-24 Liberator
92:Arlington National Cemetery
10:
2852:
2633:. New York: Random House.
2125:. US Army Air Forces. 1945
1636:Army of the United States
1592:Army of the United States
1570:Army of the United States
1548:Army of the United States
1272:Distinguished Flying Cross
1153:World War II Victory Medal
975:Distinguished Flying Cross
684:. It was redesignated the
674:Colorado Springs, Colorado
597:B-24s over Ploesti in the
247:Distinguished Flying Cross
223:Distinguished Flying Cross
18:
2024:. United States Air Force
2022:"General Leon W. Johnson"
1524:Army of the United States
744:National Security Council
534:90th Bombardment Squadron
510:Air Corps Tactical School
376:National Security Council
201:
191:
165:
155:
140:
132:
116:
98:
86:
69:
49:
37:
30:
1781:
1770:United States Air Force
1748:United States Air Force
1726:United States Air Force
1704:United States Air Force
1169:Army of Occupation Medal
768:Ellsworth Air Force Base
766:, at a ceremony held at
692:for the United Kingdom.
466:5th Observation Squadron
111:United States of America
1903:Vandenberg, Hoyt S. Jr.
1681:United States Air Force
1334:Medal of Honor citation
1186:Medal for Humane Action
1078:American Campaign Medal
732:NATO Military Committee
720:Continental Air Command
542:III Air Support Command
478:2d Observation Squadron
470:Mitchel Field, New York
364:Continental Air Command
292:in 1926. He joined the
170:Continental Air Command
123:United States Air Force
44:General Leon W. Johnson
2675:public domain material
2333:Columbia Daily Tribune
2075:Craven & Cate 1949
2060:Craven & Cate 1949
1906:"Leon W. Johnson 1926"
1346:
1215:with one service star
1047:with oak leaf cluster
977:with oak leaf cluster
848:
832:Awards and decorations
816:Carlisle, Pennsylvania
797:Hoyt S. Vandenberg Jr.
771:
724:Mitchel Air Force Base
713:Royal Air Force Ensign
601:
572:44th Bombardment Group
526:Savannah Army Air Base
395:
325:44th Bombardment Group
186:44th Bombardment Group
1341:
1171:with "Germany" clasp
839:
799:, the son of General
761:
666:Strategic Air Command
610:93d Bombardment Group
596:
394:At West Point in 1926
393:
348:Strategic Air Command
182:14th Bombardment Wing
133:Years of service
1325:with palm (Belgium)
791:, and was buried in
652:on 6 November 1943.
522:3d Bombardment Group
506:3rd Weather Squadron
447:Fort Crook, Nebraska
427:West Point, New York
421:Johnson entered the
398:Johnson was born in
282:West Point, New York
259:Leon William Johnson
2648:Young, Ken (2016).
2158:, pp. 106ā108.
2077:, pp. 481ā483.
2062:, pp. 338ā339.
1912:on 24 February 2017
1308:with palm (France)
774:Johnson settled in
670:Fifteenth Air Force
455:Brooks Field, Texas
352:Fifteenth Air Force
339:. He commanded the
2300:on 9 October 2007.
2219:. Veteran Tributes
1874:. pp. 932ā937
1744:Lieutenant General
1566:Lieutenant Colonel
1543:Lieutenant Colonel
849:
801:Hoyt S. Vandenberg
772:
602:
561:lieutenant colonel
400:Columbia, Missouri
396:
276:A graduate of the
63:Columbia, Missouri
2659:978-0-7190-8675-5
2640:978-1-58648-010-3
2562:Cullum, George W.
2540:Cullum, George W.
2518:Cullum, George W.
2217:"Leon W. Johnson"
2182:, pp. 73ā74.
1779:
1778:
1700:Brigadier General
1632:Brigadier General
1504:16 November 1940
1405:Second Lieutenant
1381:Second Lieutenant
1331:
1330:
1274:(United Kingdom)
916:oak leaf clusters
865:
864:
844:in a ceremony at
789:Fairfax, Virginia
709:Archie J. Old Jr.
656:Post World War II
650:brigadier general
644:. commanded the
613:had to fight off
553:Savannah, Georgia
490:Master of Science
435:second lieutenant
327:, which flew the
321:Savannah, Georgia
298:Master of Science
286:second lieutenant
253:
252:
80:Fairfax, Virginia
60:13 September 1904
2843:
2698:
2697:
2696:
2689:
2672:
2671:
2663:
2644:
2632:
2618:
2616:
2614:
2591:
2579:
2577:
2575:
2557:
2555:
2553:
2535:
2533:
2531:
2513:
2511:
2509:
2503:
2482:
2481:
2479:
2477:
2461:
2426:
2425:
2423:
2421:
2416:on 30 April 2008
2406:
2400:
2399:
2397:
2395:
2385:
2379:
2378:
2376:
2374:
2360:
2345:
2344:
2342:
2340:
2323:
2314:
2308:
2302:
2301:
2296:. Archived from
2290:
2284:
2283:
2281:
2279:
2265:
2246:
2240:
2235:
2229:
2228:
2226:
2224:
2213:
2207:
2201:
2195:
2189:
2183:
2177:
2171:
2165:
2159:
2153:
2147:
2141:
2135:
2134:
2132:
2130:
2117:
2111:
2110:
2108:
2106:
2089:
2078:
2072:
2063:
2057:
2051:
2045:
2034:
2033:
2031:
2029:
2018:
2003:
1997:
1991:
1985:
1979:
1973:
1956:
1950:
1941:
1935:
1922:
1921:
1919:
1917:
1899:
1884:
1883:
1881:
1879:
1869:
1860:
1762:
1740:
1718:
1696:
1672:
1661:27 October 1947
1650:
1639:6 November 1943
1628:
1606:
1584:
1573:1 February 1942
1562:
1539:
1528:31 January 1941
1515:
1492:
1470:
1447:
1436:1 December 1931
1429:First Lieutenant
1425:
1401:
1377:
1353:
1352:
1319:
1302:
1285:
1268:
1249:
1243:
1236:
1229:
1207:
1201:
1182:
1165:
1149:
1127:
1121:
1114:
1107:
1100:
1093:
1074:
1058:
1039:
1033:
1011:
1005:
998:
991:
969:
963:
944:
928:
906:
900:
893:
874:
867:
866:
858:
851:
850:
781:The World at War
776:McLean, Virginia
754:Death and legacy
678:3rd Air Division
549:Eighth Air Force
474:first lieutenant
356:3rd Air Division
317:Eighth Air Force
265:for leading the
148:
118:
109:
107:
106:
76:
73:10 November 1997
59:
57:
42:
28:
27:
2851:
2850:
2846:
2845:
2844:
2842:
2841:
2840:
2706:
2705:
2704:
2694:
2692:
2684:
2669:
2666:
2660:
2641:
2612:
2610:
2600:
2589:
2573:
2571:
2551:
2549:
2529:
2527:
2507:
2505:
2501:
2490:
2485:
2475:
2473:
2462:
2429:
2419:
2417:
2408:
2407:
2403:
2393:
2391:
2387:
2386:
2382:
2372:
2370:
2362:
2361:
2348:
2338:
2336:
2324:
2317:
2309:
2305:
2292:
2291:
2287:
2277:
2275:
2267:
2266:
2249:
2238:
2236:
2232:
2222:
2220:
2215:
2214:
2210:
2202:
2198:
2190:
2186:
2178:
2174:
2166:
2162:
2154:
2150:
2142:
2138:
2128:
2126:
2119:
2118:
2114:
2104:
2102:
2099:Washington Post
2090:
2081:
2073:
2066:
2058:
2054:
2046:
2037:
2027:
2025:
2020:
2019:
2006:
1998:
1994:
1986:
1982:
1974:
1959:
1951:
1944:
1940:, p. 2009.
1936:
1925:
1915:
1913:
1900:
1887:
1877:
1875:
1867:
1861:
1788:
1784:
1773:31 August 1957
1551:5 January 1942
1351:
1336:
1323:Croix de Guerre
1306:Croix de Guerre
1289:Legion of Honor
1251:
1250:
1244:
1237:
1230:
1209:
1208:
1202:
1129:
1128:
1122:
1115:
1108:
1101:
1094:
1041:
1040:
1034:
1013:
1012:
1006:
999:
992:
971:
970:
964:
948:Legion of Merit
908:
907:
901:
894:
842:Jacob L. Devers
834:
825:The Right Stuff
756:
686:Third Air Force
658:
630:Legion of Merit
518:
502:Barksdale Field
388:
360:Third Air Force
358:, and then the
245:
242:Croix de Guerre
240:
237:Croix de Guerre
233:Legion of Honor
231:
226:
221:
219:Legion of Merit
217:
213:
208:
184:
180:
178:3d Air Division
176:
174:Third Air Force
172:
125:
104:
102:
94:
78:
74:
61:
55:
53:
45:
33:
32:Leon W. Johnson
24:
17:
12:
11:
5:
2849:
2839:
2838:
2833:
2828:
2823:
2818:
2813:
2808:
2803:
2798:
2793:
2788:
2783:
2778:
2773:
2768:
2763:
2758:
2753:
2748:
2743:
2738:
2733:
2728:
2723:
2718:
2703:
2702:
2665:
2664:
2658:
2645:
2639:
2619:
2598:
2580:
2558:
2536:
2514:
2491:
2489:
2486:
2484:
2483:
2472:. pp. 4ā5
2427:
2401:
2380:
2368:Military Times
2346:
2315:
2313:, p. 144.
2303:
2285:
2247:
2230:
2208:
2206:, p. 108.
2196:
2194:, p. 110.
2184:
2172:
2160:
2148:
2136:
2112:
2079:
2064:
2052:
2050:, p. 101.
2035:
2004:
2002:, p. 439.
1992:
1980:
1978:, p. 518.
1957:
1955:, p. 679.
1942:
1923:
1885:
1872:Air University
1785:
1783:
1780:
1777:
1776:
1774:
1771:
1768:
1763:
1755:
1754:
1752:
1749:
1746:
1741:
1733:
1732:
1730:
1727:
1724:
1719:
1711:
1710:
1708:
1705:
1702:
1697:
1689:
1688:
1686:
1683:
1678:
1673:
1665:
1664:
1662:
1659:
1656:
1651:
1643:
1642:
1640:
1637:
1634:
1629:
1621:
1620:
1618:
1615:
1612:
1607:
1599:
1598:
1596:
1593:
1590:
1585:
1577:
1576:
1574:
1571:
1568:
1563:
1555:
1554:
1552:
1549:
1546:
1540:
1532:
1531:
1529:
1526:
1521:
1516:
1508:
1507:
1505:
1502:
1499:
1493:
1485:
1484:
1482:
1479:
1476:
1471:
1463:
1462:
1460:
1459:15 March 1935
1457:
1454:
1448:
1440:
1439:
1437:
1434:
1431:
1426:
1418:
1417:
1415:
1412:
1407:
1402:
1394:
1393:
1391:
1388:
1383:
1378:
1370:
1369:
1366:
1363:
1360:
1357:
1350:
1347:
1335:
1332:
1329:
1328:
1326:
1320:
1312:
1311:
1309:
1303:
1295:
1294:
1292:
1286:
1278:
1277:
1275:
1269:
1261:
1260:
1258:
1252:
1238:
1231:
1224:
1223:
1222:
1219:
1218:
1216:
1210:
1196:
1195:
1194:
1191:
1190:
1188:
1183:
1175:
1174:
1172:
1166:
1158:
1157:
1155:
1150:
1142:
1141:
1139:
1130:
1116:
1109:
1102:
1095:
1088:
1087:
1086:
1083:
1082:
1080:
1075:
1067:
1066:
1064:
1059:
1051:
1050:
1048:
1042:
1028:
1027:
1026:
1023:
1022:
1020:
1014:
1000:
993:
986:
985:
984:
981:
980:
978:
972:
958:
957:
956:
953:
952:
950:
945:
937:
936:
934:
929:
921:
920:
918:
909:
895:
888:
887:
886:
883:
882:
880:
878:Medal of Honor
875:
863:
862:
833:
830:
755:
752:
728:United Nations
705:Clement Attlee
682:Berlin Airlift
657:
654:
623:Medal of Honor
517:
514:
431:First Sergeant
404:Moline, Kansas
387:
384:
263:Medal of Honor
251:
250:
206:Medal of Honor
203:
199:
198:
193:
189:
188:
167:
163:
162:
159:
157:Service number
153:
152:
142:
138:
137:
134:
130:
129:
120:
114:
113:
100:
96:
95:
90:
88:
84:
83:
77:(aged 93)
71:
67:
66:
51:
47:
46:
43:
35:
34:
31:
15:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
2848:
2837:
2834:
2832:
2829:
2827:
2824:
2822:
2819:
2817:
2814:
2812:
2809:
2807:
2804:
2802:
2799:
2797:
2794:
2792:
2789:
2787:
2784:
2782:
2779:
2777:
2774:
2772:
2769:
2767:
2764:
2762:
2759:
2757:
2754:
2752:
2749:
2747:
2744:
2742:
2739:
2737:
2734:
2732:
2729:
2727:
2724:
2722:
2719:
2717:
2714:
2713:
2711:
2701:
2691:
2690:
2687:
2682:
2680:
2676:
2661:
2655:
2651:
2646:
2642:
2636:
2631:
2630:
2624:
2620:
2609:
2605:
2601:
2599:0-912799-02-1
2595:
2588:
2587:
2581:
2569:
2568:
2563:
2559:
2547:
2546:
2541:
2537:
2525:
2524:
2519:
2515:
2500:
2499:
2493:
2492:
2471:
2467:
2460:
2458:
2456:
2454:
2452:
2450:
2448:
2446:
2444:
2442:
2440:
2438:
2436:
2434:
2432:
2415:
2411:
2405:
2390:
2384:
2369:
2365:
2359:
2357:
2355:
2353:
2351:
2335:
2334:
2329:
2322:
2320:
2312:
2307:
2299:
2295:
2289:
2274:
2270:
2264:
2262:
2260:
2258:
2256:
2254:
2252:
2245:
2241:
2234:
2218:
2212:
2205:
2200:
2193:
2188:
2181:
2176:
2170:, p. 42.
2169:
2164:
2157:
2152:
2146:, p. 40.
2145:
2140:
2124:
2123:
2116:
2101:
2100:
2095:
2088:
2086:
2084:
2076:
2071:
2069:
2061:
2056:
2049:
2044:
2042:
2040:
2023:
2017:
2015:
2013:
2011:
2009:
2001:
1996:
1990:, p. 31.
1989:
1984:
1977:
1972:
1970:
1968:
1966:
1964:
1962:
1954:
1949:
1947:
1939:
1934:
1932:
1930:
1928:
1911:
1907:
1904:
1898:
1896:
1894:
1892:
1890:
1873:
1866:
1859:
1857:
1855:
1853:
1851:
1849:
1847:
1845:
1843:
1841:
1839:
1837:
1835:
1833:
1831:
1829:
1827:
1825:
1823:
1821:
1819:
1817:
1815:
1813:
1811:
1809:
1807:
1805:
1803:
1801:
1799:
1797:
1795:
1793:
1791:
1786:
1775:
1772:
1769:
1767:
1764:
1761:
1756:
1753:
1750:
1747:
1745:
1742:
1739:
1734:
1731:
1728:
1725:
1723:
1722:Major General
1720:
1717:
1712:
1709:
1706:
1703:
1701:
1698:
1695:
1690:
1687:
1685:2 April 1948
1684:
1682:
1679:
1677:
1674:
1671:
1666:
1663:
1660:
1657:
1655:
1654:Major General
1652:
1649:
1644:
1641:
1638:
1635:
1633:
1630:
1627:
1622:
1619:
1617:12 June 1943
1616:
1613:
1611:
1608:
1605:
1600:
1597:
1595:1 March 1942
1594:
1591:
1589:
1586:
1583:
1578:
1575:
1572:
1569:
1567:
1564:
1561:
1556:
1553:
1550:
1547:
1544:
1541:
1538:
1533:
1530:
1527:
1525:
1522:
1520:
1517:
1514:
1509:
1506:
1503:
1500:
1497:
1494:
1491:
1486:
1483:
1481:13 June 1936
1480:
1477:
1475:
1472:
1469:
1464:
1461:
1458:
1455:
1452:
1449:
1446:
1441:
1438:
1435:
1432:
1430:
1427:
1424:
1419:
1416:
1414:1 March 1929
1413:
1411:
1408:
1406:
1403:
1400:
1395:
1392:
1390:12 June 1926
1389:
1387:
1384:
1382:
1379:
1376:
1371:
1367:
1364:
1361:
1358:
1355:
1354:
1349:Dates of rank
1345:
1340:
1327:
1324:
1321:
1318:
1314:
1313:
1310:
1307:
1304:
1301:
1297:
1296:
1293:
1290:
1287:
1284:
1280:
1279:
1276:
1273:
1270:
1267:
1263:
1262:
1259:
1256:
1253:
1248:
1242:
1235:
1228:
1221:
1220:
1217:
1214:
1211:
1206:
1200:
1193:
1192:
1189:
1187:
1184:
1181:
1177:
1176:
1173:
1170:
1167:
1164:
1160:
1159:
1156:
1154:
1151:
1148:
1144:
1143:
1140:
1138:
1137:service stars
1134:
1131:
1126:
1120:
1113:
1106:
1099:
1092:
1085:
1084:
1081:
1079:
1076:
1073:
1069:
1068:
1065:
1063:
1060:
1057:
1053:
1052:
1049:
1046:
1043:
1038:
1032:
1025:
1024:
1021:
1018:
1015:
1010:
1004:
997:
990:
983:
982:
979:
976:
973:
968:
962:
955:
954:
951:
949:
946:
943:
939:
938:
935:
933:
930:
927:
923:
922:
919:
917:
913:
910:
905:
899:
892:
885:
884:
881:
879:
876:
873:
869:
868:
861:
860:Command pilot
857:
853:
852:
847:
843:
838:
829:
827:
826:
821:
817:
813:
808:
806:
802:
798:
794:
790:
785:
783:
782:
777:
769:
765:
760:
751:
749:
745:
741:
737:
733:
729:
725:
721:
716:
714:
710:
706:
702:
698:
693:
691:
687:
683:
679:
675:
671:
667:
663:
653:
651:
647:
643:
639:
635:
631:
626:
624:
618:
616:
611:
607:
600:
595:
591:
589:
585:
581:
577:
574:, flying the
573:
568:
566:
562:
558:
554:
550:
545:
543:
539:
535:
531:
527:
523:
513:
511:
507:
503:
499:
495:
491:
487:
483:
482:Nichols Field
479:
475:
471:
467:
462:
460:
456:
452:
448:
444:
443:17th Infantry
440:
436:
432:
428:
424:
419:
417:
413:
409:
405:
401:
392:
383:
381:
377:
373:
369:
365:
361:
357:
353:
349:
344:
342:
338:
334:
330:
326:
322:
318:
314:
309:
307:
303:
299:
295:
291:
287:
283:
279:
274:
272:
268:
264:
260:
257:
248:
243:
238:
234:
229:
224:
220:
216:
211:
207:
204:
200:
197:
194:
190:
187:
183:
179:
175:
171:
168:
164:
160:
158:
154:
151:
147:
143:
139:
135:
131:
128:
124:
121:
115:
112:
101:
97:
93:
89:
85:
81:
72:
68:
64:
52:
48:
41:
36:
29:
26:
22:
2667:
2649:
2628:
2623:Rooney, Andy
2611:. Retrieved
2585:
2572:. Retrieved
2566:
2550:. Retrieved
2544:
2528:. Retrieved
2522:
2506:. Retrieved
2497:
2474:. Retrieved
2418:. Retrieved
2414:the original
2404:
2392:. Retrieved
2383:
2371:. Retrieved
2337:. Retrieved
2331:
2306:
2298:the original
2288:
2276:. Retrieved
2233:
2221:. Retrieved
2211:
2199:
2187:
2175:
2163:
2151:
2139:
2127:. Retrieved
2121:
2115:
2103:. Retrieved
2097:
2055:
2026:. Retrieved
1995:
1983:
1914:. Retrieved
1910:the original
1876:. Retrieved
1751:5 July 1952
1545:(temporary)
1498:(temporary)
1453:(temporary)
1342:
1337:
846:RAF Shipdham
823:
809:
786:
779:
773:
748:the Pentagon
717:
694:
659:
627:
619:
603:
569:
557:World War II
546:
519:
516:World War II
463:
420:
416:senior class
397:
380:the Pentagon
345:
313:World War II
310:
275:
271:World War II
258:
254:
196:World War II
192:Battles/wars
75:(1997-11-10)
25:
21:Leon Johnson
2721:1997 deaths
2716:1904 births
2613:25 February
2508:25 February
2394:24 February
2373:25 February
2339:24 February
2311:Rooney 1995
2278:24 February
2223:25 February
2129:20 February
2105:25 February
2048:Maurer 1983
2028:25 February
2000:Maurer 1983
1988:Maurer 1983
1976:Cullum 1950
1953:Cullum 1940
1938:Cullum 1930
1916:24 February
1878:24 February
932:Silver Star
805:Andy Rooney
634:Silver Star
494:meteorology
459:Kelly Field
302:meteorology
215:Silver Star
161:88A/0-16429
2710:Categories
2488:References
2476:19 October
2204:Young 2016
2192:Young 2016
2180:Young 2016
2168:Young 2016
2156:Young 2016
2144:Young 2016
1614:Air Corps
1501:Air Corps
1478:Air Corps
1456:Air Corps
1433:Air Corps
1362:Component
1135:with nine
642:Air Medals
617:fighters.
492:degree in
410:team as a
386:Early life
308:in 1936.
300:degree in
99:Allegiance
56:1904-09-13
2700:Biography
2574:6 October
2552:6 October
2530:6 October
1410:Air Corps
1356:Insignia
1017:Air Medal
914:with two
820:Tom Wolfe
640:and four
244:(Belgium)
235:(France)
228:Air Medal
136:1926ā1965
2625:(1995).
2608:61060979
2564:(1950).
2542:(1940).
2520:(1930).
2420:10 April
1386:Infantry
439:infantry
412:halfback
408:football
290:infantry
239:(France)
166:Commands
117:Service/
2244:YouTube
1766:General
1676:Colonel
1588:Colonel
1474:Captain
1451:Captain
1368:Source
662:V-E Day
565:colonel
498:captain
437:in the
311:During
288:in the
269:during
256:General
150:General
2686:Portal
2656:
2637:
2629:My War
2606:
2596:
1365:Dates
770:(1983)
660:After
636:, two
632:, the
615:Bf 109
202:Awards
119:branch
108:
87:Buried
82:, U.S.
65:, U.S.
2590:(PDF)
2502:(PDF)
1868:(PDF)
1782:Notes
1610:Major
1519:Major
1496:Major
1359:Rank
740:SHAPE
738:, at
530:major
372:SHAPE
370:, at
304:from
2654:ISBN
2635:ISBN
2615:2017
2604:LCCN
2594:ISBN
2576:2015
2554:2015
2532:2015
2510:2017
2478:2021
2422:2009
2396:2017
2375:2017
2341:2017
2280:2017
2225:2017
2131:2012
2107:2017
2030:2017
1918:2017
1880:2017
584:Kiel
333:Kiel
249:(UK)
141:Rank
70:Died
50:Born
2242:on
814:in
722:at
672:at
668:'s
480:at
468:at
445:at
425:at
350:'s
280:at
230:(4)
225:(2)
212:(3)
2712::
2681:.
2602:.
2468:.
2430:^
2366:.
2349:^
2330:.
2318:^
2271:.
2250:^
2096:.
2082:^
2067:^
2038:^
2007:^
1960:^
1945:^
1926:^
1888:^
1789:^
822:,
784:.
703:,
625:.
590:.
273:.
2688::
2662:.
2643:.
2617:.
2578:.
2556:.
2534:.
2512:.
2480:.
2424:.
2398:.
2377:.
2343:.
2282:.
2227:.
2133:.
2109:.
2032:.
1920:.
1882:.
58:)
54:(
23:.
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