Col. Herbert E. Johnson

COL. HERBERT E. JOHNSON
DEPUTY GROUP COMMANDER
Total Number of Victories: 2

Col. Herbert E. "Johnny" Johnson(at right in photograph with Col. Russell and Capt. Morris), a native of Los Angeles, CA, flew his first combat tour with 14thFG in North Africa and was involved in both the Bolero and Torch Missions. He was assigned to the 77th.FS on 13 Nov. 1943 as the Commanding Officer and lead the squadron on their first combat mission 25 November, 1943, while the 20th.FG was still attached to the 55th.FG. He scored the first claim registered against the enemy by the 20th.FG in the ETO, a Dornier Do-217, on 26 November, 1943. On 9 Mar. 1944 he became Deputy Group Commander and was promoted to Lt Col. on 30 April 1944. He served with the 20th.FG until 3 Aug. 1944, when was tranfered to 8th Fighter Command.

"...'Flak' led his squadron and the Group through some of the toughest combat flying in the ETO in more than 300 hours of combat. Col. Johnson aborted only once, that due to mechanical failure."
-- Report for Mission #144, 1 August, 1944

Total number of combat hours: 303:45 (completed tour), Claims: Destroyed; 1 Do217(air); 1 FW190(air); 1 ui/te(ground); 1/2 He177(ground); Probables: 1 Fw190(air); Damaged: 1 ME110(ground); 1 ui/te(ground); 1 ME109(air), Decorations: Air Metal and 7-Clusters; Distinguished Flying Cross and 1-Cluster.

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