Theodore Johnson (Tuskegee Airman)

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Theodore P. Johnson, Jr.
Theodore Johnson 1944
Born(1924-03-22)March 22, 1924
DiedFebruary 16, 2020(2020-02-16) (aged 95)
San Antonio, Texas[1]
Buried
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery[1]
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Army Air Force
Years of service1943–1949
Awards

Theodore P. Johnson, Jr. (March 22, 1924 – February 16, 2020) was an American military serviceman who served during World War II and was a Documented Original Tuskegee Airman.

Early life and education[edit]

He attended Dunbar High School at Temple, Texas, June 6, 1941.[2]

Military service[edit]

In 1943 Johnson was drafted and sent to Fort Benning, GA. In 1944 he arrived in St. Louis, MO, Jefferson Barracks Military Post, for basic training.[3] In April 1944 he was sent to Scotland, and in July arrived at Omaha Beach on a tank landing ship; from there he journeyed across France, Belgium and Germany.[4][5] On July 5, 1945 he arrived in Boston, Massachusetts by way of LeHavre, France.[6]

He re-enlisted on January 26, 1946, and was eventually posted to Lockbourne Air Base, Ohio, as a result of this he is classified as a Documented Original Tuskegee Airman (DOTA).[6][7]

Later life[edit]

Later in life, Johnson spent time speaking to groups about his experiences as a Tuskegee Airman.[8][9] He was "known for his detailed memory of his travels, assignments and personal encounters".[6] In 2005, Johnson and other Tuskegee Airmen spoke to their former unit the 332nd Fighter group, in Balad, Iraq.[10] "War is hell," Johnson once said. "Don't nobody tell you that war is not hell. Anybody tell you he wasn't afraid, he's a lie."[11] Toward the final years of his life, he frequently took part in honors and ceremonies, for himself and representing the Tuskegee Airmen.[12][13][14][15][16] In 2018, he went on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., with 50 other veterans from Austin.[11] He was presented with a portrait painting of himself at the "Portraits of Patriots Art Show", in the Patriot's Casa at Texas A&M University-San Antonio.[17]

Personal life[edit]

He and his wife had nine children.[18]

Johnson died in his home in San Antonio, Texas. After his death there were only two living members in San Antonio.[6]

Awards[edit]

See also[edit]

Further reading[edit]

  • The Tuskegee Airmen: An Illustrated History, 1939–1949[20]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Foster, Jordan (February 25, 2020). "SA Tuskegee Airman dies at 95". News Center Maine. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  2. ^ "Theodore Johnson". Caf Rise Above. CAF Rise Above. February 24, 2020. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  3. ^ "JBSA community, 99th FTS celebrate Tuskegee Airmen heritage, legacy". Joint Base San Antonio. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  4. ^ Robert Goetz (October 30, 2017). "Amazing things at JBSA air show not limited to aerial". Joint Base San Antonio. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  5. ^ Flinn, Jeff B. (June 11, 2015). "Surviving members of legendary Tuskegee Airmen take to the skies". San Antonio Express News. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d "Theodore Johnson, an Original WWII Tuskegee Airmen dies". News4SA. February 19, 2020. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  7. ^ "Tuskegee Experience" (PDF). Tuskegee Edu. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 15, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  8. ^ "Community Calendar". Odessa American. May 24, 2014. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  9. ^ a b "Spirit of '45". Galveston County Daily News. July 31, 2015. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  10. ^ "Aging Tuskegee Airmen Suiting Up, Seek to Inspire Former Unit in Iraq". Athens News Courier. Associated Press. October 23, 2005. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  11. ^ a b Rebeca Trejo (November 2, 2018). "Austin area African-American veterans take Honor Flight to D.C." KVUE. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  12. ^ Lauren Padden (August 27, 2019). "Joint Base San Antonio honors the "Greatest Generation"". U. S. Army. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  13. ^ Leah Durain (March 25, 2019). "Local Tuskegee Airmen Honored on Unit's 78th Anniversary". KENS. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  14. ^ Johnny Saldivar (June 12, 2015). "Photo at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph's Parr Club". U.S. Air Force. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  15. ^ Rauel Tirado (January 9, 2016). "Stories and Memories". Department of Defense. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  16. ^ Benjamin Faske (April 23, 2016). "Viva Fiesta". Air Reserve Personnel Center. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  17. ^ Ingrid Wilgen (September 22, 2016). "Tuskegee Airmen honored at Patriots' Casa". Mesquite News. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  18. ^ Durain, Leah (February 11, 2019). "Tuskegee Airman shares moments from history". KENS-TV. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
  19. ^ "Public Law 109-213 – Apr. 11, 2006 Congressional Gold Medal to the Tuskegee Airmen" (PDF). Congress.gov. US Library of Congress. April 11, 2006. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  20. ^ Caver, Joseph; Ennels, Jerome A.; Haulman, Daniel Lee (2011). The Tuskegee Airmen: An Illustrated History, 1939–1949. Montgomery: New South Books. p. 394. ISBN 978-1588382443. Retrieved February 6, 2020.

External links[edit]

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