Theodore P. Johnson, Jr. | |
---|---|
Born | March 22, 1924 |
Died | February 16, 2020 San Antonio, Texas[1] | (aged 95)
Buried | |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/ | United States Army Air Force |
Years of service | 1943–1949 |
Awards |
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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.
He attended Dunbar High School at Temple, Texas, June 6, 1941.[2]
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 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]
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]