Leon William Johnson

Military
Colonel Leon W. Johnson of the 44th Bomb Group after receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor. Handwritten caption on reverse: '138/RF, WD 140. B/G Leon Johnson with Medal of Honor 22 Nov 1943.' On reverse: Sport & General [Stamp].

Object Number - FRE 3454 - Colonel Leon W. Johnson of the 44th Bomb Group after receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor. Handwritten caption on reverse: '138/RF, WD 140. B/G...

Col. Leon Johnson, the commander of the 44th Bomb Group from the 8th Air Force in Britain provided superior leadership in planning and training his pilots from the 8th Air force from the U.K. to employ very low altitude flying, before and during Operation Tidal Wave, the mission to destroy the German held oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania, in the B-24D Liberator bomber, 41-23817, named, Suzy Q. 1 August 1943.

He was the Commanding Officer and Colonel of the 44th Bomb Group from, 4 Jan, 43, until 2 Sep, 43, and deployed (TDY) with the 44th Bomb Group from the UK, to serve with the 9th Air Force at Benina Main, Libya, for the Ploesti mission.

Col. Johnson was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his leadership of the 44th Bomb Group on Operation Tidal Wave, Ploesti, Romania.
Citation at http://www.cmohs.org/recipient-detail/2806/johnson-leon-w.php.

Col. Johnson's Military Awards :
Medal of Honor - Silver Star - Legion Of Merit - Distinguished Flying Cross - 1 Oak Leaf Cluster - Air Medal - 3 Oak Leaf Clusters - French Legion Of Honor - French Croix De Guerre - Belgian Croix De Guerre - British Distinguished Flying Cross

Connections

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Units served with

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: Eighth Air Force
  • Service Numbers: O-22381
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant General
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs 506th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13020171 / O-793711
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 376th Bomb Group 409th Bomb Group 93rd Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: O-22545 / 1849A
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant General
  • Role/Job: Pilot - Squadron Commander - Commanding Officer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: Eighth Air Force
  • Service Numbers: 13029610
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: Eighth Air Force
  • Service Numbers: 14031174
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Suzy Q
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs 67th Bomb Squadron

Missions

  • Date: 1 August 1943
  • Official Description: 177 B-24’s, of IX Bomber Command (including Heavy Bombers on loan from Eighth AF) are dispatched to bomb oil refineries at Ploesti and nearby Campina. The operation (TIDALWAVE) is costly, 54 planes and 532 airmen being lost, but damage to the targets...

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Died

10 November 1997

Born

Moline, KS 67353, USA

Revisions

Date23 Jan 2022 08:23:12
ContributorKickapoo
Sources

Added detail. - Kickapoo

Date23 Jan 2022 08:13:40
ContributorKickapoo
Sources

The Great Ground-Air Battle Of 1 August 1943

Date6 Sep 2021 15:58:41
ContributorKickapoo
Sources

Black Sunday - Michael Hill

Date26 Jul 2021 08:52:44
ContributorEmily
Sources

Interviewed in 1972 by Thames Television for the World at War, IWM Collection 2822

Date9 Mar 2021 11:44:31
Contributordecwriter
Sources

Modified awards to reflect what Gen Johnson received during World War II. According to his official Air Force biography picture, he was awarded the EAME Campaign Medal with 1 silver star device and and four bronze star devices, reflecting nine campaigns. He received additional awards and decorations after World War II to include the Distinguished Service Medal (Army version) with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Army of Occupation Medal, Medal for Humane Action, National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star and the Air Force Longevity Service Award with one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters.

Date13 Nov 2015 17:54:54
ContributorLucy May
Sources

Combined with another duplicate record. Sources:
Lee Cunningham 10-Nov-2014. Description based on http://www.usaaf.com/8thaf/bomber/44bg.HTM and http://www.8thairforce.com/44thbg/history.htm

Date13 Nov 2015 17:48:56
ContributorLucy May
Sources

Added information from a duplicate record. Sources used in that duplicate record were:
14th Combat Bombardment Wing (H) by William B. Taylor; Who's Who in the Eighth Air Force and/or Biographical Directory Command & Staff Officers Eighth Air Force 1942-45 / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia

Date27 Sep 2014 18:18:33
ContributorAAM

Leon William Johnson: Gallery (20 items)