Theodore Johnson (Tuskegee Airman)

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

Theodore Johnson
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

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".[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

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

See also

Further reading
  • The Tuskegee Airmen: An Illustrated History, 1939-1949[20]

References
  1. 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. "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. "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. 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.
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