This was the first combat mission use of this nature of the A-10. A few days after this mission on February 6, 1991, Captain Johnson again demonstrated his skills when another A-10 he was flying was hit by portable shoulder-mounted SAM. The explosion left a gaping hole in the right wing, disabled one of the aircraft’s two hydraulic systems and crippled the right engine. He managed to fly the badly damaged aircraft back to Saudi airspace, where he air refueled as he recovered at King Fahd Air Base. Captain Johnson Air Force Cross mission to rescue Navy Pilot Lieutenant Devon Jones was one of two combat missions in Operation DESERT STORM to merit award of the Air Force Cross. The other award was for ground actions by F-16 Pilot, Captain William Andrews. He retired in 2016 as a U.S. Air Force Major General.
Sponsored by:
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Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Air Force Cross
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
July 16, 2004 – June 30, 2006
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Paul T. Johnson, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, 354th Operations Group, 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, from 16 July 2004 to 30 June 2006. During this period, Colonel Johnson established an impressive record of superior leadership, outstanding accomplishment, and clever resource management, which contributed immeasurably to the 354th Fighter Wing’s combat capability. Under Colonel Johnson’s steadfast leadership, the Operations Group kept focused on its combat mission despite distractions from the Base Realignment and Closure process. His exceptional guidance over the past two years led to the successful execution of a robust flying program with more than 16,290 F-16 and A-10 sorties and 30,535 hours flown in the extreme arctic environment. In addition, his leadership strongly influenced the success of six COPE THUNDER exercises and Exercise KODIAK STRIKE, the largest close air support joint exercise in 354th Fighter Wing history. Colonel Johnson’s combat experience and commitment to joint employment was revealed through his unending support to equip and train his 3d Air Support Operations Squadron with new Stryker vehicles and the creation of the Detachment 1, 3d Air Support Operations Squadron at Fort Richardson, Alaska. The superior initiative, outstanding leadership, and personal endeavor displayed by Colonel Johnson reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Paul T. Johnson, United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Johnson and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Paul T. Johnson, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during Operation DESERT STORM on 6 February 1991. On that date, Captain Johnson and his four-ship of A-10s were tasked to attack and destroy and Iraqi missile site in occupied Kuwait. During a strafing pass, Captain Johnson’s aircraft was struck by an enemy missile. With his aircraft severely damaged, and below the weather without his wingman, Captain Johnson coolly directed the flight’s egress while vectoring his wingman to rejoin beneath the clouds. After that, it was simply his masterful skill and superior airmanship that brought his crippled A-10 back to a flawless landing thus saving the Air Force a valuable combat asset. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Johnson reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Air Force Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainRegiment:
354th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Myrtle Beach Air Base, South CarolinaAction Date:
January 21, 1991
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 Paul T. Johnson, United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as an A-10 Pilot with the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing, during Operation DESERT STORM on 21 January 1991. On that date, Captain Johnson was the flight lead on Sandy 57, a two-ship of A-10s tasked for search and rescue alert at a forward operating location. While en route, he received tasking to look for an F-14 crew that had been shot down the night before. During the next six hours he would lead his flight through three aerial refuelings, one attack on a possible SCUD missile site, and three hours of intensive searching deeper inside enemy territory than any A-10 had ever been. He risked his life as he had to fly at a mere 500 feet in order to pinpoint the survivor’s location. When an enemy truck appeared to be heading toward his survivor, Captain Johnson directed his flight to destroy it, thus securing the rescue. It was his superior airmanship and his masterful techniques at orchestration that made this rescue happen – the first in the history of the A-10 weapons system. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, Captain Johnson reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Defense Superior Service Medal
Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense has awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal to Major General Paul T. Johnson, United States Air Force, for exceptionally superior service to the Department of Defense. The distinctive accomplishments of Major General Johnson reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.