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Major Harold Johnson was crewed with Major Leo K. Thorsness, Pilot, and they trained and flew all combat missions over North Vietnam together. Thorsness earned the Medal of Honor for his heroism on this day in which his EWO, Major Johnson, earned the Air Force Cross for their courageous but futile efforts to protect and recover his grounded wing man. Eleven days later on April 30, 1967, Major Thorsness’ F-105 was shot down and both he and Johnson were captured after bailing out of their airplane and held as Prisoners of War. Both men survived captivity and were repatriated and returned to U.S. control on March 4, 1973. He retired in 1987 as a U.S. Air Force Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    May 2 – 14, 1967

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major Harold Eugene Johnson (AFSN: 0-3116556/42372A), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during the period 2 to 14 May 1967, while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions, and propaganda materials. Major Johnson resisted their demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner which reflected his devotion to duty and great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    April 18, 1967

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain Harold Eugene Johnson (AFSN: 0-3116556/42372A), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105F Electronic Warfare Officer near Thai Nguyen, North Vietnam on 18 April 1967. On that date, Captain Johnson was in the lead aircraft in a four ship SAM suppression mission. Disregarding his own personal safety, he calmly and effectively manipulated his electronic detection gear to assist in the successful suppression of the surface-to-air missile activity in the target area of the fighter-bomber force. He also assisted in the destruction of one surface-to-air missile installation. In spite of heavy ground fire, surface-to-air missile threats, and hostile aircraft in the area, Captain Johnson remained in the area for twelve minutes and aggressively engaged the hostile and threatening surface-to-air missile sites upon every encounter. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Johnson reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    December 2, 1966

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain Harold Eugene Johnson (AFSN: 0-3116556/42372A), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105F Electronic Warfare Officer in Southeast Asia on 2 December 1966. On that date, Captain Johnson was in the lead aircraft of a four ship flight on a combat support mission in one of the most heavily defended areas in Southeast Asia. Disregarding his personal safety, Captain Johnson incessantly manipulated his electronic detection gear to interrogate the hostile gun-laying and surface-to-air missile guidance radars permitting all flights he was supporting to enter and depart the target area fully aware of the hostile targets. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Johnson reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Harold Eugene Johnson (AFSN: 0-3116556/42372A), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Johnson culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    December 5, 1966

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain Harold Eugene Johnson (AFSN: 0-3116556/42372A), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a combat aircrew member in Southeast Asia on 5 December 1966. On that date, while under intense and accurate fire from unfriendly forces, Captain Johnson demonstrated cool courage, undaunted determination, and superior skill in pressing home devastating air attacks against hostile positions. Persevering in the face of danger, he relentlessly and effectively aided in neutralizing the hostile forces. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Johnson reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    January 2, 1967

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Harold Eugene Johnson (AFSN: 0-3116556/42372A), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105F Electronic Warfare Officer near Haiphong, North Vietnam, on 2 January 1967. On that date, Captain Johnson assisted in the aggressive engagement of numerous surface-to-air missile sites in support of a special friendly forces “MiG Sweep” mission. In spite of bad weather and poor visibility, heavy anti-aircraft fire, and hostile aircraft activity, Captain Johnson was so effective on his SAM suppression mission that not one missile was fired at any of the friendly interceptor aircraft. His efforts directly contributed to the overall mission results of seven MiG-21 aircraft destroyed with no friendly losses. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Johnson reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    December 19, 1966

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Harold Eugene Johnson (AFSN: 0-3116556/42372A), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105F Electronics Warfare Officer near Hanoi, North Vietnam on 19 December 1966. On that date, Captain Johnson was on a surface-to-air missile suppression mission in support of a strike executed against a vital petroleum products storage center. In spite of adverse weather, hostile aircraft and ferocious ground fire, Captain Johnson calmly and expertly used his electronic gear to assist in aggressively engaging two surface-to-air missile sites in the target area thus preoccupying these dangerous threats while the attack forces placed their ordnance on target and returned to home base without a loss. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Johnson reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    July 1, 1969 – March 12, 1970

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Major Harold Eugene Johnson (AFSN: 0-3116556/42372A), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam from 1 July 1969 to 12 March 1970. In an atmosphere of enemy harassment and brutal treatment, he continued to establish and maintain communications through unusual and ingenious methods, which resulted in American and Allied prisoners presenting a posture of increased resistance to the enemy’s wishes, and, at the same time, improving prisoner morale. By his heroic endeavors and devotion to duty under adverse conditions of his environment, he reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    357th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    355th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Division:

    Tuy Hoa Air Base, Vietnam

    Action Date:

    April 19, 1967

    Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-363 (April 19, 1967)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Captain Harold Eugene Johnson (AFSN: 0-3116556/42372A), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism as Electronics Warfare Officer of an F-105 aircraft of the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Tuy Hoa Air Base, Vietnam, engaged in a pre-strike, missile suppression mission over North Vietnam on 19 April 1967. On that date, Captain Johnson guided his pilot in attacking and destroying a surface-to-air missile installation with an air-to-ground missile. Through his technical skill, he immediately detected a second missile complex and guided the pilot into visual contact. Diving into a deadly barrage of anti-aircraft fire, his aircraft bombed and successfully destroyed this site. In the attack on this second missile site, a wingman was shot down by the intense anti-aircraft fire, and the crew members were forced to abandon their aircraft. Flying through hostile missile threats, Captain Johnson’s aircraft engaged and destroyed a MiG-17 while attacking a superior MiG force. He aided in the rescue efforts for the downed crew, engaged additional MiGs, and damaged one in the encounter. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness, Captain Johnson has reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    357th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    355th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Division:

    Tuy Hoa Air Base, Vietnam

    Action Date:

    January 15, 1967

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Harold Eugene Johnson (AFSN: 0-3116556/42372A), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism as Electronics Warfare Officer of an F-105 aircraft of the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Tuy Hoa Air Base, Vietnam, engaged in a pre-strike, missile suppression mission over North Vietnam on 19 April 1967. On that date, Captain Johnson guided his pilot in attacking and destroying a surface-to-air missile installation with an air-to-ground missile. Through his technical skill, he immediately detected a second missile complex and guided the pilot into visual contact. Diving into a deadly barrage of anti-aircraft fire, his aircraft bombed and successfully destroyed this site. In the attack on this second missile site, a wingman was shot down by the intense anti-aircraft fire, and the crew members were forced to abandon their aircraft. Flying through hostile missile threats, Captain Johnson’s aircraft engaged and destroyed a MiG-17 while attacking a superior MiG force. He aided in the rescue efforts for the downed crew, engaged additional MiGs, and damaged one in the encounter. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness, Captain Johnson has reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.