Johnson, Leon W. (Leon William), 1904-1997

Leon William Johnson (1904-1997) was born in Columbia, Missouri. He received his commission in the infantry from West Point in 1926, then earned his wings and transferred to the Air Corp in 1930. He advanced to the rank of brigadier general in November 1943 and commanded the 14th Combat Bomb Wing from September 1943 until the end of World War II. From January 1952 to April 1956, he commanded the Continental Air Command and from August 1957 until his retirement in July 1961, he served as Air Deputy to the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe.

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>During World War II, Johnson was one of the first four flying officers of the Eighth Air Force, and served on it staff during its formative period at Savannah, Georgia. In 1943, he assumed command of the 44th Bombardment Group, which flew the Consolidated B-24 Liberator. Johnson led the attack on the German naval installations at Kiel in May 1943 and the attack on the Ploesti oil fields in August 1943, for which the 44th Bombardment Group received Distinguished Unit Citations. He commanded the 14th Combat Bombardment Wing from September 1943 until May 1945.</p>

<p>After the war, Johnson commanded the Strategic Air Command's Fifteenth Air Force. He returned to England in 1948 to lead the 3rd Air Division, and then the Third Air Force, 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 Continental Air Command. He was air deputy to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, at 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.</p>

<p>MILITARY SERVICE BRANCH: U.S. ARMY AIR CORPS</p>
<p>MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION DATE: AUGUST 1, 1943</p>
<p>MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION PLACE: PLOESTI, RUMANIA</p>
<p>CITATION
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 cumulus 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 anitaircraft fire, enemy fighter planes, 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.</p>
<p>ACCREDITED TO: MOLINE, ELK COUNTY, KANSAS</p>
<p>AWARDED POSTHUMOUSLY: NO</p>
<p>PRESENTATION DATE & DETAILS: NOVEMBER 22, 1943
ENGLAND, PRESENTED BY LT. GEN. JACOB L. DEVERS</p>
<p>BORN: SEPTEMBER 13, 1904, COLUMBIA, BOONE COUNTY, MO, UNITED STATES</p>
<p>DIED: NOVEMBER 10, 1997</p>
<p>BURIED: ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY , ARLINGTON, VA</p>