Leon W. Johnson

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Leon W. Johnson
Croix de Guerre (Belgium)
Distinguished Flying Cross
(UK)

General Leon William Johnson (13 September 1904 – 10 November 1997) was a United States Air Force general who was awarded the Medal of Honor for leading the attack on the Ploesti oil fields during World War II.

A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, Johnson was commissioned a second lieutenant in the infantry in 1926. He joined the United States Army Air Corps in 1929, and qualified as a pilot. He earned a Master of Science degree in meteorology from California Institute of Technology in 1936.

During

14th Combat Bombardment Wing
from September 1943 until May 1945.

After the war, Johnson commanded the

SHAPE Headquarters from 1958 until he retired in 1961, but on later that year he was recalled to active duty to become director of the National Security Council's Net Evaluation Subcommittee Staff at the Pentagon
. He finally retired in 1965.

Early life

At West Point in 1926

Johnson was born in Columbia, Missouri, on 13 September 1904.[1] He had an older brother, a younger brother, and a sister. In 1919, the family moved to Moline, Kansas, where he went to high school. He played on the high school football team as a halfback, and was vice president of his senior class. After graduation, he worked in the family's bank.[2]

Johnson entered the

Brooks Field, Texas, as a student officer.[3] He married Lucille Taylor before completion of flight training. They had two daughters, Sue and Sarah.[2] He was next sent to Kelly Field, Texas, for further training with the Observation Section from 15 October 1929 to 28 February 1930.[3]

On 1 March 1930, Johnson joined the

3rd Weather Squadron,[4] and was a student at the Air Corps Tactical School from 5 June to 25 August 1939.[5]

World War II

Johnson was operations officer of the

III Air Support Command when it was activated in September 1941.[5][7]

Johnson was one of the first four flying officers of the Eighth Air Force and served as assistant chief of staff for operations (A-3) during its formative period at Savannah, Georgia.[8] With the United States now a belligerent in World War II, promotion accelerated, and he was promoted to lieutenant colonel on 5 January 1942, and then colonel on 1 March 1942.[5] He accompanied the Eighth Air Force to England in June 1942.[8]

On 8 January 1943, Johnson assumed command of the

Distinguished Unit Citation.[2][9][10]

B-24s over Ploesti in the attack on the Ploesti oil fields

The 44th Bombardment Group took part in an even more costly raid, the

93d Bombardment Group 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 had to fight off Bf 109 fighters.[11]

Johnson's own plane was charred black by the flames, and hit by flak several times but managed to return safely.[12] 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 soon restore production.[11] The 44th Bombardment Group received a second Distinguished Unit Citation.[9] For his part in that raid, Johnson was awarded the Medal of Honor.[9][13]

In addition, for his leadership of the 44th Bombardment Group, Johnson was awarded the

brigadier general on 6 November 1943.[1]

Post World War II

After

Berlin Airlift. It was redesignated the Third Air Force on 1 May 1951. In addition to his other duties, chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group for the United Kingdom.[8][1]

As commander of the 3rd Air Division and later the Third Air Force, he was subordinate to

United States Air Forces in Europe, but also had to deal with USAF headquarters and the Strategic Air Command.[14] 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,[15] including the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Clement Attlee.[16] His command was understaffed, lacked a clear mission, and there was no agreement with the British government regarding base rights or financial responsibilities.[17] Nor was it easy dealing with his Strategic Air Command colleagues like Archie J. Old Jr., who were not renowned for diplomatic skill.[18] Johnson's deft touch was perhaps exemplified by his order that the Royal Air Force Ensign be flown over US bases in the UK alongside the flag of the United States.[19]

On 21 February 1952, he was named commander of the

SHAPE 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 National Security Council's Net Evaluation Subcommittee Staff at the Pentagon. He retired a second time on 30 April 1965.[8][20]

Death and legacy

Johnson settled in McLean, Virginia and worked as a consultant. His hobbies included growing flowers,[2] and he was president of the National Capitol Dahlia Society.[12] He was interviewed for The World at War.[21]

He died of a respiratory infection on 10 November 1997 at Belvoir Woods health care facility in

Hoyt S. Vandenberg.[23][22] Of Johnson's Medal of Honor, war correspondent Andy Rooney wrote in 1995 that "no infantryman deserved it more than this good and brave Air Force general."[24]

In 2008, Johnson's grandson, Leon Abbott, donated the medal to the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, which holds a large collection of material relating to the 44th Bombardment Group.[25] "There's a book by Tom Wolfe, The Right Stuff", Abbott recalled. "I do feel my grandfather had the right stuff."[25]

Awards and decorations

Johnson receiving his Medal of Honor from Lieutenant General Jacob L. Devers in a ceremony at RAF Shipdham
Command pilot[1]
Medal of Honor [26]
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
 [22][26]
Silver Star [22][26]
Legion of Merit [22][26]
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster [22][26]
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters [22]
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Distinguished Unit Citation
with oak leaf cluster 		[1]
American Defense Service Medal [1]
American Campaign Medal [1]
Silver star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
service stars
 [1]
World War II Victory Medal [1]
Army of Occupation Medal with "Germany" clasp [1]
Medal for Humane Action [1]
Bronze star
 National Defense Service Medal with one service star [1]
Silver oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Air Force Longevity Service Award
with a silver and two oak leaf clusters 		[27]
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom) [1]
Legion of Honor
, grade of Chevalier (France) 		[1]
Croix de Guerre
with palm (France) 		[1]
Groix de Guerre
with palm (Belgium) 		[1]

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, 1 August 1943. Entered service at: Moline, Kans. Born: 13 September 1904, Columbia, Mo. G.O. No.: 54, 7 September 1943.

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 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.[28]

Dates of rank

Insignia Rank Component Dates Source
Second Lieutenant
 Infantry 12 June 1926 [1][29]
Second Lieutenant
 Air Corps 1 March 1929 [1][29]
First Lieutenant
 Air Corps 1 December 1931 [1][29]
Captain (temporary) Air Corps 15 March 1935 [1][29]
Captain Air Corps 13 June 1936 [1]
Major (temporary) Air Corps 16 November 1940 [1][29]
Major Army of the United States 31 January 1941 [1][29]
Lieutenant Colonel (temporary) Army of the United States 5 January 1942 [1][29]
Lieutenant Colonel Army of the United States 1 February 1942 [1][29]
Colonel Army of the United States 1 March 1942 [1][29]
Major Air Corps 12 June 1943 [1][29]
Brigadier General
 Army of the United States 6 November 1943 [1][29]
Major General
 Air Force of the United States 27 October 1947 [5][29]
Colonel United States Air Force 2 April 1948 [5][29]
Brigadier General
 United States Air Force 11 June 1948 (backdated to 25 March 1946) [1][29]
Major General
 United States Air Force 11 August 1950 (backdated to 2 April 1945) [1][29]
Lieutenant General
 United States Air Force 5 July 1952 [1]
General United States Air Force 31 August 1957 [8]

Notes

  1. ^
    Air University
    . pp. 932–937. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e Vandenberg, Hoyt S. Jr. "Leon W. Johnson 1926". West Point Alumni Organisation.
  3. ^ a b c d Cullum 1930, p. 2009.
  4. ^ a b Cullum 1940, p. 679.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Cullum 1950, p. 518.
  6. ^ Maurer 1983, p. 31.
  7. ^ Maurer 1983, p. 439.
  8. ^ a b c d e "General Leon W. Johnson". United States Air Force. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
  9. ^ a b c Maurer 1983, p. 101.
  10. ^ Craven & Cate 1949, pp. 338–339.
  11. ^ a b Craven & Cate 1949, pp. 481–483.
  12. ^
    Washington Post
    . Retrieved 25 February 2017.
  13. ^ Liberators over Europe, 1942 – 1945. US Army Air Forces. 1945. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  14. ^ Young 2016, p. 40.
  15. ^ Young 2016, pp. 106–108.
  16. ^ Young 2016, p. 42.
  17. ^ Young 2016, pp. 73–74.
  18. ^ Young 2016, p. 110.
  19. ^ Young 2016, p. 108.
  20. ^ "Leon W. Johnson". Veteran Tributes. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
  21. YouTube
  22. ^ a b c d e f g "Leon William Johnson – General, United States Air Force". Arlington National Cemetery. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  23. ^ "Oil Paintings by David Johnson Vandenberg – Family History". Archived from the original on 9 October 2007.
  24. ^ Rooney 1995, p. 144.
  25. ^ a b Greaney, T.J. (16 October 2008). "Grandson donates local general's Medal of Honor". Columbia Daily Tribune. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  26. ^
    Military Times
    . Retrieved 25 February 2017.
  27. ^ "Veteran tributes – Leon W. Johnson". Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  28. ^ "Medal of Honor recipients World War II (G–L)". Army Center of Military History. Retrieved 10 April 2009.
  29. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Continental Air Command Reserve Information Office (8 May 1952). "Biography of Major General Leon William Johnson, USAF". Air Force Historical Research Agency. pp. 4–5. Retrieved 19 October 2021.

References

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