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].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/wysiwyg_x2/public/freeman/media-407959.jpg.webp?itok=JtMTESo6)
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
- Unit Hierarchy: Wing
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Unit Hierarchy: Headquarters
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
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
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Pathway
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Died |
10 November 1997 | ||
|
Born |
Moline, KS 67353, USA |
Revisions
Added detail. - Kickapoo
The Great Ground-Air Battle Of 1 August 1943
Black Sunday - Michael Hill
Interviewed in 1972 by Thames Television for the World at War, IWM Collection 2822
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.
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
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
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / http://8thairforce.com/44thbg/search/perlastname.asp
![Colonel Leon W. Johnson, commander of the 44th Bomb Group is saluted by General Jacob L. Devers (centre) and Lieutenant-General Ira C. Eaker (right) after being awarded the Congressional Medal of Honour. A B-24 Liberator is visble in the background. Passed for publication 23 Nov 1943. Printed caption atached to reverse of print: '30952. Col Johnson, Gen. Devers and Lt. Gen. Ira C. Eaker salute after the ceremony. S.&G..' On reverse: Sport & General [Stamp].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-407947.jpg.webp?itok=hbmN3b2g)
![Personnel of the 44th Bomb Group at a Medal of Honor award ceremony for Colonel Leon W. Johnson, Shipdam Passed for publication 23 Nov 1943. Printed caption on reverse: '30948: American troops at the ceremony. S.&.G. B.E.' On reverse: Sport & General [Stamp].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-407948.jpg.webp?itok=CkP2fK77)
![Personnel of the 44th Bomb Group and a B-24 Liberator at a Medal of Honor award ceremony for Colonel Leon W. Johnson, Shipdam. Passed for publication 23 Nov 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: '137/RF WD140. Nov 22 1940. Presentation of M.O.H. [Medal of Honor] to B/G Leon Johnson for Ploesti mission. USAAF photo of 8/1/43.' On reverse: Sport & General [Stamp].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-407949.jpg.webp?itok=KejC6jAF)
![Colonel Leon W. Johnson of the 44th Bomb Group points to the Ploesti mission marking on the nose of his B-24 Liberator to Generals Devers (centre) and Eaker (right). Passed for publication 23 Nov 1943. On reverse: Sport & General [Stamp]. Printed caption on reverse: '30953. Col. Johnson shows Gen Devers and Gen Eaker the decorations on a Liberator which went to Ploesti. The bomb lying on its side represents Ploesti, where they flew so low that the bombs were placed not dropped on the target. S.&G.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-407951.jpg.webp?itok=p-PuiLRY)
![General Devers decorates Colonel Leon W. Johnson of the 44th Bomb Group with the Medal of Honor. Passed for publication 23 Nov 1943. Printed caption on reverse: '30947. Gen Devers decorating Col. Johnson. S.&.G.' On reverse: Sport & General [Stamp].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-407952.jpg.webp?itok=SZlsLp8s)
![Colonel Leon W. Johnson of the 44th Bomb Group salutes General Devers after being awarded the Medal of Honour. Passed for publication 23 Nov 1943. Printed caption on reverse: '30951. Col. Johnson and Gen. Devers salute each other after the ceremony. S.&G.' On reverse: Sport & General [Stamp].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-407954.jpg.webp?itok=BXp-faZy)
![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].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-407959.jpg.webp?itok=HH75weDN)
