CDR Jerry Lee Johnson, a North Carolina native, enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1963 in Roanoke, VA. In 1965 he was assigned to Aviation Officer Candidate School (AOCS) at NAS Pensacola, FL. At completion of flight training in the T-34, T-28 and TS-2 aircraft, he earned his Naval Aviator wings (1967). He was then assigned to VS-41 at NAS North Island for Fleet Replacement Training in the S-2E aircraft. His first fleet assignment was with Antisubmarine Squadron 23 (VS-23), which deployed to SE Asia in USS Yorktown (CVS-10).
Following the Viet Nam deployment, VS-23 and the USS Yorktown were decommissioned. CDR Johnson was transferred to Training Squadron 27 (VT-27) at NAS Corpus Christi, TX to serve as TS-2A Flight Instructor and Landing Signal Officer. His next fleet assignment was NAS Quonset Point. After refresher training in the S-2E aircraft with VS-30, he was assigned to VS22. During this assignment, he volunteered for a detachment to fly C-1A aircraft with VRC-50, supporting Seventh Fleet carriers from NAS Cubi Point in the Philippines and Da Nang Air Base in the Republic of Viet Nam. After the detachment, he volunteered to augment VS-28 and deploy to the Mediterranean in USS Independence (CVA-62) as the final phase of the Navy’s CV Evaluation.
CDR Johnson's shore assignments included the Naval Recruiting District, Columbus, OH and the Naval War College, graduating in 1978. He was then selected for jet transition and training in the S-3A Viking with VS-41. After completing training, he was assigned to VS-28 at NAS Cecil Field, FL. He deployed with Carrier Air Wing 7 in USS Independence (CV-62). In 1981, he was transferred to the USS Forrestal (CV-59) and completed two Mediterranean deployments and the Service Life Extension Program (SLEP). His final active duty assignment was as Air Operations Officer at NAS Jacksonville. He retired from active duty in 1987 and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.
He continued his flying career as a commercial pilot with Midway Airlines, Morris Air Service and Southwest Airlines. He was a Captain of the Boeing 737.
CDR Johnson retired from flying in 2003. He now devotes his time to volunteer work with the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, his wife, two daughters and two grandchildren. He served his country with pride and considers himself fortunate to have been a Naval Aviator and, most importantly, a Carrier Pilot.