Richard M. “Dick” Johnson Jr. (1925-2017) was born in Bloomsburg, PA. He attended and graduated from Downingtown High School (Pennsylvania) in 1943.
That same year he enlisted in the Army Air Corp (predecessor to the U.S. Air
Force) and was sent to Avon Park, FL for flight training. He later went to the Napier Field, Dothan, AL where he trained other pilots. He received his overseas assignment is Feb. 1945 for Rhineland’s Ardennes, Central Europe.
He was stationed at Tibenham, Norfolk, England. He was a B-24 Liberator pilot in the 445th Bombardment Group H division of the Mighty 8th Air Force, the largest air armada in history. His commanding officer was Hollywood Legend James Stewert. He received the E.A.M.E. Midair Victory Medal, American Theater Medal and the United Citation Award. As First Lieutenant, he received additional flight training at Tyndall AFB in Florida. Remaining in the Reserves, he obtained a job as a purser with Eastern Airlines, La Guardia Airport, NY from 1950-1952. He then entered active duty and was sent to Japan to serve in the Korean War. His assignment was Aircraft Controller using the “new” radar technology of that time guiding U.S. aircraft on bombing missions. He received the U.N. Service Medal and Korean Service Medal. He was relieved of active duty in 1953 and served four more years in the Air Force Reserves. His service in the Air Force was 14 years. He went back to Eastern Airlines and was a pilot for the airline for 35 years until his retirement in 1985. As a Captain with Eastern Airlines he instructed many pilots and completed his flying years in a DC-9. He had a true passion for flying and spoke fondly of the many wonderful people he met over the years in the aviation industry.