Carl Emerson Johnson Sr.
1921 – April 11, 1967
Class: 43-I-SE
Graduation date: 10/1/1943
Rank at time of graduation: 2nd Lt.
Unit: 100th Fighter Squadron
Service # 0814194
From: Charlottesville, VA
Carl E. Johnson Sr. Was born in Lynchburg, Virginia in 1921 and educated in the Charlottesville, Virginia public schools. He attended Hampton Institute from 1938-1942 majoring in Business. While attending Hampton Institute he dabbled in journalism and he wrote and submitted many sports related articles to The Afro-American Newspaper for publication.
A graduate of Hampton Institute, Division of Aeronautics, Civilian Pilot Training Program in January 1942, he was chosen among 12 other Hampton students to continue his flight training at the Coffey School of Aeronautics at Harlem Airport, Oak Lawn, Illinois where he completed the Secondary Course and received his Commercial Pilots License under the instruction of non-other than the pretty Aviatrix Willa B. Brown in June 1942.
In 1942 he applied passed all of the educational, aptitude, mental and physical requirements to be accepted as an Aviation Cadet in the United States Air Corps with the 66th AAF Flying Training Detachment, Moton, Field, Tuskegee Institute, Alabama.
Aviation Cadet Carl E. Johnson began Primary Flight Training at Moton Field, Tuskegee Institute with Class 43-I on April 3, 1943 with fifty-four Aviation Cadets. The ridged quota system and high elimination rate soon became apparent with 24 cadets being eliminated from Primary Flight Training. He completed successfully completed Primary Flight Training on May 28, 1943 and was transferred to Tuskegee Army Air Field to undergo Basic Flight Instruction in the BT-13. With six more cadets being eliminated from Basic Flying Training and one more being eliminated from Advance Flight Training,
On September 25, 1943, just five days before he was to graduate, he almost found himself being eliminated from Advance Flight Training due to a landing accident in an AT-6C while undergoing aerial gunnery at Eglin Field, Florida.
On descending to approximately 1000 feet after leaving the pattern on Range 31, I made usual turn towards base leg. While on base leg tow ship cut me out of the pattern, and I immediately extended base leg to make power approach. I made usual cockpit check, but failed to lower landing gear. I called Tower but did not get an answer. As ship approached landing altitude (in a power approach), I got a red light, applied throttle too late, elevator pressure, but the ship mushed into runway. I immediately cut throttle, all switches, and climbed out of ship. I did not hear warning as I made power approach
Carl E. Johnson
A/C, Air Corps,
Pilot
On October 1, 1943, after successfully mastering each of the following aircraft, the P-17, BT-13, and AT-6, Aviation Cadet Carl E. Johnson graduated from Tuskegee Army Air Field as a Single Engine pilot and was commissioned a 2nd, Lieutenant. in the United States Army Air Corps
During the graduation ceremony on October 1, 1943, Dr. Fred L. Patterson addressed the graduates of Class SE-43-I and honors for being the most efficient and outstanding Cadet was awarded to Cadet Captain Carl E. Johnson, first; Carroll N. Langston, second; and Gene C. Browne, third.
His soon to be bride Miss Arhodia Estelle Lee of Birmingham, Alabama pinned on his wings following the graduation ceremony. Married shortly after his graduation Mrs. Carl E. Johnson attended Tuskegee Institute majoring in Arts and she would accompany him to Michigan while he is stationed at Selfridge Field
After an additional 10 hours of P-40 Fighter Transition Training at TAAF in the 1155th SEFTS. He was transferred to Selfridge Field, Michigan where he joined the 332nd Fighter Group on October 21, 1943, and he was subsequently assigned to the 301st Fighter Squadron on October 26, 1943.
With the activation of the 553rd Fighter Squadron at Selfridge Field, Michigan on November 1, 1943, for replacement aircrew training, 2nd Lt. Johnson was transferred from the 301st FS to the 553rd FS, Oscoda Army Air Base, Oscoda, Michigan on December 9, 1943 for Advanced Fighter Training where he flew the Bell P-39 Air Cobra from December 1943 to April 1944.
On April 15, 1944 with over 300 hours of total flying time under his belt he was relieved from assignment with the 553rd FS and transferred to Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia for overseas movement.
On May 12, 1944, 2nd Lt. Johnson joined the 332nd FG at Capodichino Air Field, Italy as a replacement pilot, he was assigned to the 100th FS along with 2nd Lt. Clarence D. Lester. On his first mission on May 18, 1944 while flying wing to 1st Lt. Richard C. Pullam he sighted an enemy JU-88, he opened fire with everything he had, but the range was too great and the enemy ship ducked into the clouds with its rear gunner firing wildly. Both pilots were recommended for the Air Medal. By May 28, 1944 2nd Lt. Johnson had amassed 20:40 Operational & Combat Hours and 10 Sorties.
He transitioned into the P-47 Thunderbolt and P-51 Mustang where he flew long range strategic bomber escort mission with the 15th Air Force June – August 1944.
On July 30, 1944 whilst on a bomber escort mission enroute to Tokol Armament Works, Budapest, Hungary, Lt. Johnson who was straggling behind his flight before rendezvous at 1010 hours at 15,000 feet when a lone Reggiane Re.2001 Falco II made an attack on him. He immediately turned into the enemy aircraft firing a 90-degree deflection shot. He destroyed the aircraft in the ensuing battle hitting it again with a short burst at 30 degrees at 6,000 ft. Lt. Johnson returned to Ramitelli alone after the engagement.
For reasons unknown and undocumented on August 5, 1944, he went from Duty status to Absent Sick Limited Duty, at the 4th Field Hosp where he remained until he was transferred from the 4th Field Hospital, Termoli, Italy to Detachment of Patients at the 26th Gen Hospital, Bari, Italy on Sept 19, 1944 and shortly thereafter he was transferred to Finney General Hospital, Thomasville, Georgia for rehabilitation and convalescing and later the Army Air Forces Nashville Convalescent Hospital, Nashville, Tennessee.
Unlike many of his wartime comrades that were killed, 2nd Lt. Carl E. Johnson came home in mid-October 1944 to a newborn son Carl Emerson. Johnson Jr. who was born a few days prior to his father’s arrival back in the States from the MTO.
For his service during World War II, he was awarded the Air Medal and 1 Oak Leaf Cluster
GO # 2485 HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH AIR FORCE 11 August 1944
AWARD OF AIR MEDAL
Carl E. Johnson, O-814194, Second Lieutenant, Charlottesville, Virginia
For meritorious achievement in aerial flight while participating in sustained operational activities against the enemy from 23 June 1944 to 30 July 1944.
FIEST OAK LEAF CLUSTER (BRONZE) For the destruction of one (1) enemy aircraft, type RE-2001 on 30 July 1944.
By command of Major General TWINING
After having had his college education interrupted in 1943 by the war and immediately after his discharge from the Army Air Forces in 1945 Carl returned to his academic studies, not at Hampton Institute but at Boston University where he obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and his Master Degree in Accounting in 1946.
Also, in 1946 he passed a highly competitive civil service examination for the position of Auditor, European Command, shortly after which he was appointed to and assigned to Frankfurt, Germany. In May 1949, Carl was transferred to the regional office in Vienna and was promoted to Senior Auditor. He and his family of three lived and worked in post war Austria and Germany for well over a decade.
In November 1950 out of 206 candidates Carl Johnson was one of 39 men and 2 women that passed the Virginia State Board of Accountancy examination which qualified him to become a Certified Public Accountant.
He and his family lived overseas in Germany and Austria in the fifties and sixties while he held positions as Auditor, Senior Auditor was Chief of Commercial, NATO and Foreign Accounts, Headquarters USAF, Europe. He was awarded the Department of Air Force Distinguished Superior Award. In 1959 he was on the Comptroller Staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe.
At the time of his passing at age 46 on April 11, 1967 he was an employee of the Defense Department at the Pentagon slated to be assigned to serve as secretary to the then Secretary of Defense Robert Macnamara.
A military service was held at Ft. Myers and he was buried with full military honors at Grace Hill Cemetery, in Birmingham, Alabama
Written and submitted by Craig Huntly, Tuskegee Airmen Subject Matter Expert
Approved by and Photo courtesy, Carl E. Johnson Jr MD
