Col. Gerald R. Johnson
U.S. Army Air Force, 5th Air Force, 49th Fighter Group, 9th Fighter Squadron
P-38 Lighting Pilot and Ace
Background
Gerald Richard Johnson was born on June 23, 1920 as one of five children born to parents Harold Victor Johnson, Sr. and Hazel Irene Johnson. He was a twin to Harold Victor Johnson, Jr. born on the same day in Kenmore near Akron, Ohio. Nicknamed "Jerry". In 1936 the family moved to Eugene, Oregon and graduated from Eugene High School Class of 1938. In the summer of 1940 attended a Department of Agriculture School.
Wartime History
After the United States entered World War II, Johnson enlisted in the U.S. Army as an aviation cadet at Luke Field and earned his pilot wings during late 1941 and commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with serial number O-428829.
Assigned to the 11th Air Force (11th AF), 54th Fighter Group (54th FG) flying the P-39 Airacobra and P-40 Warhawk and claimed two victories flying the P-38 Lightning. Afterwards, transfered to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 49th Fighter Group (49th FG), 9th Fighter Squadron (9th FS) "The Flying Knights" in the South-West Pacific Area (SWPA).
On October 13, 1943 took off from Kiriwina Airfield on a mission to escort B-24 Liberators over Rabaul. Inbound to the target, the weather was approaching frontal region with precipitation and clouds and lost three planes. The rest of the flight diverted to land at Dobodura.
During November 1943 promoted to the rank of Major.
On November 15, 1943 Johnson claimed three aerial victories (uncredited) and accidentally fired on Boomerang A46-136 pilot F/O Robert McColl Stewart and force landed near Finschafen Airfield. Luckily, the pilot survived. Later, an Australian flag indicating this Boomerang was painted on Johnson's P-38 Lightning. At this time, Johnson was the 4th highest scoring ace.
During late 1944 promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and later to the rank of Colonel.
Aircraft assigned to Johnson
P-38F "Sooner" 42-12655 assigned to Johnson on November 5, 1943 piloted by 2nd Lt. George C. Haniotis (MIA) over Rabaul.
P-38H "Sooner" assigned to Johnson.
P-38L-5 assigned to Johnson.
Aerial Victory Claims
Johnson was officially credited by the USAAF with twenty-two aerial victories.
His first victory claim was on July 26, 1943. His last victory claim was April 2, 1945.
Missing On Administrative Flight
On October 7, 1945 took off from Ie Shima Airfield piloting B-25H Mitchell 43-4149 on an administrative flight with four passengers aboard bound for Atsugi Airfield. This aircraft departed without the upper bomb bay fuel tanks being filled because it did not have a fuel transfer pump. For unknown reasons this B-25 had only four parachutes aboard yet there was a total of six individuals aboard (two crew and four passengers). Due to poor weather including turbulence and rain, this aircraft flew on instruments until approximately 5:30pm when the coast of Honshū was spotted but had difficulty orienting himself for the landing approach. When this aircraft failed to arrive it was officially listed as missing. Since he went missing after hostilities ended, Johnson did not earn the Purple Heart, posthumously.
Awards
Johnson earned the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) with Oak Leaf Cluster, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) with five Oak Leaf Clusters, Soldier's Medal, Air Medal with eleven Oak Leaf Clusters.
Memorials
Johnson was officially declared dead the day of the flight. He is memorialized at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) on the courts of the missing, court 7.
After his loss, Irumagawa Airfield was renamed Johnson Airfield in his honor. Later, renamed Johnson Air Base (Johnson AB) then Johnson Air Force Base (Johnson AFB).
References
Pilot Roster, 9th Fighter Squadron 1942-1943 via Edward Rogers
Historical Study No. 85 USAF Credits For The Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II Alphabetical: Johnson, Gerald R. page 98 (PDF page 105)
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Gerald R. Johnson
FindAGrave -
Col Gerald Richard Johnson (photo, courts of the missing photo)
The Eugene Register-Guard "Gerald Johnson Listed Missing Since October 7" October 14, 1945
Protect & Avenge: The 49th Fighter Group in World War II (1995) pages 162 (photo), 165 (June 12, 1943), 176-178 (July 26, 1943), 180-181 (Aug 2, 1943), 182 (promotion Captain) 183 (9th FS C.O.), 185 (Aug 11, 1943), 186-187 (Sept 2, 1943), 191 (Bong request to fly solo to Johnson), 197-199 (Oct 12, 1943), 204 (Oct 15, 1943), 205 (photo), 205-206 (Oct 23, 1943), 210 (Oct 29, 1943) 211-214 (Nov 2, 1943), 219 (photo), 222 (photo P-47 No. 83) 222-223 (Dec 10, 1943), 225-226 (Dec 12, 1943), 229 (Jan 18, 1944), 232 (return USA), 268 (photo P-40N), 269-270 (Oct 10, 1944), 271-272 (Oct 14, 1944), 276-280 (Oct 27, 1944), 291 (Nov 11, 1944), 297 (Nov. 28, 1944), 300 (Ormoc Day 3), 316 (promotion to LtCol), 321 (Jan 19, 1945), 325 (Lingayen), 328 (photo), 329 (transfer), 331 (photo), 331-332 (Apr 1, 1945), 334, 337 (May 4, 145), 339 (June 1945), 342 (July 1945) 343 (photo), 356 (index Johnson, G.)
Stars & Bars: A Tribute To The American Fighter Ace 1920–1973 (1995) page 35-36 (49th FG, Johnson) 362-363 (Johnson, Gerald Richard.)
Jungle Ace: Col. Gerald R. Johnson, the USAAF's Top Fighter Leader of the Pacific War (2001) biography of Johnson
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