Republic P-47C Thunderbolt
"Penrod and Sam" - Major Robert S. Johnson, 62nd FS, 56th FG
Robert S. Johnson decided to become an Army pilot at age 8, when he saw "The Three Musketeers" perform at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. An interesting side note to that story is that the Musketeers were formed and led by Captain Claire Chennault, later of Flying Tiger fame. Not only did Johnson decide that day to be an Army pilot, he decided he would be the best Army pilot; when he returned to the United States from England on June 6, 1944, he was the top-scoring USAAF pilot in the ETO, and tied at the time with Dick Bong with 27 victories. His score was later revised to 28, making him the fourth-ranking USAAF ace after Bong, Tommy McGuire, and Johnson's squadron commander, Francis Gabreski. In a group filled with aggressive aces Johnson was a standout on that score. Most of his career with the 56th saw him flying with the 61st Fighter Squadron, but when he was promoted to Major in May 1944, he moved to the 62nd FS, as Operations Officer. His autobiography, "Thunderbolt!" is highly-recommended reading.
Republic P-47C Thunderbolt
"Penrod and Sam" - Major Robert S. Johnson, 62nd FS, 56th FG
Robert S. Johnson decided to become an Army pilot at age 8, when he saw "The Three Musketeers" perform at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. An interesting side note to that story is that the Musketeers were formed and led by Captain Claire Chennault, later of Flying Tiger fame. Not only did Johnson decide that day to be an Army pilot, he decided he would be the best Army pilot; when he returned to the United States from England on June 6, 1944, he was the top-scoring USAAF pilot in the ETO, and tied at the time with Dick Bong with 27 victories. His score was later revised to 28, making him the fourth-ranking USAAF ace after Bong, Tommy McGuire, and Johnson's squadron commander, Francis Gabreski. In a group filled with aggressive aces Johnson was a standout on that score. Most of his career with the 56th saw him flying with the 61st Fighter Squadron, but when he was promoted to Major in May 1944, he moved to the 62nd FS, as Operations Officer. His autobiography, "Thunderbolt!" is highly-recommended reading.