Theodore Johnson (Tuskegee Airman) Explained

Theodore P. Johnson, Jr.
Birth Date:22 March 1924
Death Place:San Antonio, Texas
Placeofburial:Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery[1]
Allegiance:United States of America
Branch:United States Army Air Force
Serviceyears:1943–1949

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

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

Military service

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

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". 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. 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

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.[19]

Awards

See also

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Foster . Jordan . SA Tuskegee Airman dies at 95 . 8 August 2020 . News Center Maine . 25 February 2020.
  2. Web site: Theodore Johnson . Caf Rise Above . February 24, 2020 . 8 August 2020.
  3. Web site: JBSA community, 99th FTS celebrate Tuskegee Airmen heritage, legacy. 2021-11-15. Joint Base San Antonio. en-US.
  4. Web site: Amazing things at JBSA air show not limited to aerial . Joint Base San Antonio . Robert Goetz . October 30, 2017 . November 16, 2021.
  5. News: Flinn . Jeff B. . Surviving members of legendary Tuskegee Airmen take to the skies . 8 August 2020 . San Antonio Express News . 11 June 2015.
  6. News: Theodore Johnson, an Original WWII Tuskegee Airmen dies . 16 November 2021 . News4SA . 19 February 2020.
  7. Web site: Tuskegee Experience. Tuskegee Edu. https://web.archive.org/web/20130915005215/http://www.tuskegee.edu/sites/www/Uploads/files/About%20US/Airmen/TuskegeeExperience(1).pdf. 16 November 2021. September 15, 2013.
  8. News: Community Calendar . 14 November 2021 . Odessa American . 24 May 2014.
  9. News: Spirit of '45 . 14 November 2021 . Galveston County Daily News . 31 July 2015.
  10. News: Aging Tuskegee Airmen Suiting Up, Seek to Inspire Former Unit in Iraq . 14 November 2021 . Associated Press . Athens News Courier . 23 October 2005.
  11. Web site: Austin area African-American veterans take Honor Flight to D.C. . . Rebeca Trejo . November 2, 2018. November 16, 2021.
  12. Web site: Joint Base San Antonio honors the "Greatest Generation" . U. S. Army . Lauren Padden . August 27, 2019 . November 16, 2021.
  13. Web site: Local Tuskegee Airmen Honored on Unit's 78th Anniversary . . Leah Durain . March 25, 2019 . November 16, 2021.
  14. Web site: Photo at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph's Parr Club . U.S. Air Force . Johnny Saldivar . June 12, 2015 . November 16, 2021.
  15. Web site: Stories and Memories . Department of Defense . Rauel Tirado . January 9, 2016 . November 16, 2021.
  16. Web site: Viva Fiesta . Air Reserve Personnel Center . Benjamin Faske . April 23, 2016 . November 16, 2021.
  17. Web site: Tuskegee Airmen honored at Patriots' Casa . Mesquite News . Ingrid Wilgen . September 22, 2016 . November 16, 2021.
  18. News: Durain . Leah . Tuskegee Airman shares moments from history . 8 August 2020 . KENS-TV . 11 February 2019.
  19. News: Theodore Johnson, an Original WWII Tuskegee Airmen dies . 16 November 2021 . News4SA . 19 February 2020.
  20. Web site: Public Law 109-213Apr. 11, 2006 Congressional Gold Medal to the Tuskegee Airmen. Congress.gov. US Library of Congress. 11 April 2006. 16 November 2021.
  21. Book: Caver . Joseph . Ennels . Jerome A. . Haulman . Daniel Lee . The Tuskegee Airmen: An Illustrated History, 1939–1949 . 2011 . New South Books . Montgomery . 978-1588382443 . 394 . 6 February 2020.

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