Major Gerald W. Johnson

MAJOR GERALD W. JOHNSON
Print By Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette 
Limited Edition Print
12" X 18"
Price: $60.00

P-47D  "In the Mood"

Limited Edition prints are signed and numbered by the artist and signed by the aviator.  Also available in Open Edition prints which are signed by the artist for $25.00

Gerald Walter Johnson was born on July 10, 1919 in Owenton, Kentucky. He left collage in September 1941 to enter the aviation cadet-training program to become an Army Air Corp pilot. He received his pilot’s wings and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in April 1942 at Ellington Field, Texas.

Johnson was then assigned to the 61^st Fighter Squadron, 56^th Fighter Group.  His training with the group at Mitchell Field, New York gave him experience flying the P-36, P-40 and the P-38. They were then transferred to Bridgeport, Connecticut where they were to receive the first P-47 delivered to a tactical unit.   The group was sent to England and stationed at Kings Cliffe, which was a new wartime airfield still under construction in January 1943. In April 1943 the group was transferred to Horsham St. Faith, which was located near the city of Norwich.

Johnson’s first combat mission was also the first mission of the 56^th Fighter Group, which was a fighter sweep over the western border of Belgium and France. Gerald flew wing for their commander, Colonel Hub Zemke.  Johnson experienced his first aerial combat by damaging an FW 190 on May 14,1943 northeast of Antwerp. Gerald fired on the Focke Wulf 190 and saw bright flashes strike the enemy aircraft in the cockpit area. Looking around Gerald saw two Focke Wulf’s was closing in on his thunderbolt with one German ready to fire. Johnson broke off his attack on the FW-190 not knowing if the German fighter went down or not. Johnson claimed his first aerial victory on June 26^th by downing an FW 190 north of Dieppe. In early August Gerald claimed two Bf 109’s and was promoted to Captain on August 10, 1943. He then shared in the downing of a Bf 110 on the 17^th and downed another Bf 109 on the 19^th.

Johnson became the group’s first ace on October 10^th with the downing of a Bf 110 and a Bf 210 in a battle north of Munster. Johnson was sent to the 360^th Fighter Squadron to train the new group with his combat experiences. While working with the 360^th Johnson claimed another aerial victory of a FW 190 on January 24,1944.

Johnson returned to the 56^th Fighter Group to become commander of the 63^rd Fighter Squadron scoring seven more aerial victories.

On March 27^th 1944, Johnson flew his last mission-flying escort for bombers. After the bomb run, Johnson led his fighters down to look for targets of opportunity.   Johnson spotted a freight train and descended with his guns ripping into the rolling stock. Explosions rocked the train as Johnson pulled up. Looking back he saw his men getting devastating strikes as well.  Johnson came around for another final pass. As he approached the train antiaircraft fire struck his engine knocking it out completely. Flying at only 200 feet off the ground, Johnson pulled up over the train and headed for a group of trees.  The plane was coming down and Johnson fought the controls to keep the aircraft stable. The heavy P-47 mashed down into the tops of the trees and came out over a plowed field where it hit and skidded to a stop. Gerald was captured and held as a POW for the duration of the war until he was liberated in May 1945.

Johnson returned to the 56^th Fighter Group at Selfridge Field Michigan where he commanded the 62^nd Fighter Squadron.  He chose to stay in the Air Corp thought the transition to the new Air Force continuing his college education. He was promoted to brigadier general on November 1, 1965.

Johnson later commanded three air divisions as Lieutenant General and was Commander of the Eight Air Force during the last three years of the Viet Nam War. Johnson was serving as Inspector General of the Air Force when he retired in September 1974.

Johnson was credited with 18 ½ aerial victories, one probable, and 4 ½ damaged.  He earned the Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star, Air Medal with 4 OLCs, Air Force and Army Commendation Medals and the French Croix De Guerre with Silver Star.

Shipping cost:  $5.00

Combine orders and reduce your shipping costs

Limited Edition Prints - $60.00

Open Edition Prints - $25.00