Robert Samuel Johnson

Military
Captain Robert "Bob" Johnson of the 56th Fighter Group. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 4 May 1944.' [stamp] and '318839.' [censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '"ACE" FIGHTER PILOT BOB JOHNSON. Capt Robert ("Bob") Johnson, a fighter pilot from 1201 C St, Lawton, Oklahoma, who is now stationed at a Thunderbolt station "somewhere in England", has twenty-five enemy planes to his credit, only one less than Capt Eddie Rickenbacker's last record. Johnson holds media-456709.jpg FRE 9837 Captain Robert "Bob" Johnson of the 56th Fighter Group. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 4 May 1944.' [stamp] and '318839.' [censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '"ACE" FIGHTER PILOT BOB JOHNSON. Capt Robert ("Bob") Johnson, a fighter pilot from 1201 C St, Lawton, Oklahoma, who is now stationed at a Thunderbolt station "somewhere in England", has twenty-five enemy planes to his credit, only one less than Capt Eddie Rickenbacker's last record. Johnson holds the Air Medal, the DFC, the Purple Hear and the Silver Star. His wife Barbara lives at the above address,they have no children. Associated press photo shows: Close up of Capt "Bob" Johnson.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 9837 - Captain Robert "Bob" Johnson of the 56th Fighter Group. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 4 May 1944.'...

Robert S Johnson enlisted in 1941 and shortly selected for flying training as a bomber pilot, he was commissioned in July 1942. In January 1943, he was assigned to the 56th Fighter Group and travelled with them to England, he was unqualified to fly the P-47 Thunderbolt but flew his first combat mission in April 1943. Nevertheless, Johnson claimed 27 aerial victories, becoming the first pilot to surpass First World War Ace Eddie Rickenbacker's record of 26 claims in May 1944. He flew 91 missions with the 56th Fighter Group. He completed his tour of Duty in 1944 and joined Republic Aviation as an engineering executive.





Plane 'All Hell. '



DSC/ DFC w/ 8 Oak Leaf Cluster/ SS/ PH/ AM w/ 4 Oak Leaf Cluster



Air to Ground 28; Air 28

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Half Pint
  • Unit: 36th Fighter Group 56th Fighter Group 61st Fighter Squadron
Captain Robert Johnson shakes hands with Staff Sergeant J.C. Peroud of the 56th Fighter Group fromthe cockpit of his P-47 Thunderbolt (LM-C, serial number 42-25512), 8 May 1944. Passed for publication 8 May 1944. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Cpt. Robert Johnson and S/Sgt J.C. Peurod on 225512 LM-C - 8/5/44 Photo.' On reverse: Associated Press, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps].
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Penrod and Sam
  • Unit: 56th Fighter Group 62nd Fighter Squadron
A pilot in the cockpit of his P-47 Thunderbolt.
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Double Lucky, All Hell
  • Unit: 56th Fighter Group 61st Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Lucky
  • Unit: 56th Fighter Group 61st Fighter Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Lawton, Oklahoma 21 February 1920

Died

Tulsa, OK, USA 27 December 1998

Revisions

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Associated Media from Freeman collection & Selected Key image

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Freeman, The Mighty Eighth, p. 273

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_S._Johnson

Ted Damick, VIII Fighter Command pilots list

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

American Aces in Great Fighter Battles of World War II / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia

Robert Samuel Johnson: Gallery (25 items)