Leon W. Johnson

Born: September 13, 1904, Columbia, Missouri
Died: November 10, 1997 (92), Fairfax, Virginia

General Leon William Johnson was a United States Air Force 4-star general and World War II Medal of Honor recipient.

1. He graduated from the United States Military Academy and was commissioned a second lieutenant in June 1926. He later received a master of science degree in from the California Institute of Technology. What subject was his master's degree in?

• English
• Meteorology
• Aeronautics

2. He was one of the first four flying officers of the Eighth Air Force and served as assistant chief of staff for operations for that command and during its formative period at Savannah, Georgia. He accompanied the Eighth Air Force to England in June 1942.

• True or False?

3. In January 1943, he assumed command of a Bombardment Group and, in June of that year, took the group to Africa to assist the Ninth Air Force in the attack on the Ploesti oil fields in Romania. What bomber group did he take command of?

• 97th Bombardment Group
• 44th Bombardment Group
• 114th Bombardment Group

4. 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.

• True or False?

5. 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.

• True or False?

6. 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.

• True or False?

7. On his return to England in September 1943, he organized a combat wing the 14th Combat Wing and commanded it until the end of the war in Europe. What was the combat wing?

• 114th Combat Wing
• 14th Combat Wing
• 24th Combat Wing

8. When was he promoted to general?

• August 31, 1957
• August 31, 1958
• August 31, 1959

9. He was retired July 31, 1961 with more than 34 years of military service. Six weeks later he was recalled to active duty to become the director, Net Evaluation Subcommittee Staff/National Security Council, with duty station in the Pentagon.

• True or False?

10. Where is Leon W. Johnson buried?

• Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia
• Woodward Hill Cemetery, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
• Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California

Leon W. Johnson Answers

1. Meteorology
2. True
3. 44th Bombardment Group
4. True
5. True
6. True
7. 14th Combat Wing
8. August 31, 1957
9. True
10. Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia
    Plot: Section 7A, Lot 209

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