Hansford Johnson graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado, Class of 1959. During the Vietnam War he flew 423 combat air missions, 71 of which were over North Vietnam or the demilitarized zone. He retired in 1992 as a U.S. Air Force 4-Star General.
Sponsored by:
Hansford
Tillman
Johnson
1936
–
Born:
Aiken
,
South Carolina
Home:
Aiken
,
South Carolina
Awards Received
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant GeneralAction Date:
August 1987 – November 1988
The Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General Hansford Tillman Johnson, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Deputy Commander in Chief, United States Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, from August 1987 to November 1988. During this period, United States Central Command faced its toughest challenges since inception as a Unified Command. The near wartime environment in the Persian Gulf tested the command leadership with situations directly affecting world peace. General Johnson’s exceptional skills as a soldier-statesman, strategist and tactician, and persuasive leader provided crucial behind-the-scenes support to the Commander in Chief and the Staff of the United States Central Command that guaranteed success. His constant presence, influence, and quiet assistance resulted in lasting and significant betterment of command organizational structure, policies and programs. The distinctive accomplishments of General Johnson reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
20th Tactical Air Support SquadronDivision:
Pleiku Air Base, South VietnamAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Hansford Tillman Johnson, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Forward Air Controller of the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron, Pleiku Air Base, South Vietnam, directing tactical close air support strike missions against enemy supply, storage, and vehicle targets in Southeast Asia, from 1967 to 1968. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Johnson reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 General Hansford Tillman Johnson, 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 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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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
20th Tactical Air Support SquadronDivision:
Pleiku Air Base, South VietnamAction Date:
July 2, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-11 (January 2, 1968)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 Hansford Tillman Johnson, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as a Forward Air Controller of the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron, Pleiku Air Base, South Vietnam, directing fighter aircraft near Con Thien, Republic of Vietnam, on 2 July 1967. On that date, Captain Johnson was flying in support of friendly forces in imminent danger of being annihilated. Flying low through intense .50 caliber anti-aircraft fire to locate and mark the hostile positions, he directed successful airpower that routed the hostile forces. When his marking rocket supply was depleted at a critical point in the battle, fighter aircraft were no longer able to accurately locate the target. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Captain Johnson used his unarmed O-1 aircraft to mark the unfriendly troops by making repeated passes at dangerously low altitude directly over their positions. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Johnson has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
GeneralAction Date:
September 21, 1989 – August 31, 1992
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to General Hansford Tillman Johnson, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Johnson distinguished himself as Commander in Chief, Headquarters Military Airlift Command and Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, from 21 September 1989 to 31 August 1992. During this period, General Johnson played a key leadership role in the superb accomplishments of the United States Air Force in direct support of our nation’s most important national security operations. His innovation in all areas of global air power postured the command to successfully accomplish the nation’s largest airlift effort in support of Operation DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM. His tireless dedication and personal involvement in the implementation of Total Quality Management principles in the command have ensured Air Mobility Command’s resources will continue to be an integral part of America’s global reach capability. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Johnson culminate a long an distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant GeneralAction Date:
December 1988 – September 1989
The Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General Hansford Tillman Johnson, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Director, Joint Staff, The Joint Chiefs of Staff, from December 1988 to September 1989. In this extremely critical position, General Johnson was highly instrumental in developing insightful and sensitive military advice for use at the highest levels of the United States Government. His ability to grasp and articulate a myriad of constantly changing complex issues enabled him to skillfully and efficiently guide and focus the efforts of the Joint Staff in support of the Chairman and Secretary of Defense. As a result of his extraordinary leadership, sound professional judgment, and personal effort, he substantially influenced the smooth transition of new Administration officials. Through his total dedication, technical expertise, and significant achievements, General Johnson earned the respect and admiration of senior officials and subordinates throughout the Department of Defense. The distinctive accomplishments of General Johnson reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Brigadier GeneralAction Date:
February 26, 1981 – December 2, 1982
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Hansford Tillman Johnson, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Johnson distinguished himself as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans for Operational Requirements, and Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans, Headquarters Strategic Air Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, from 26 February 1981 to 2 December 1982. During this period, General Johnson’s outstanding achievements and his dynamic leadership and initiative resulted in the development of comprehensive command operational requirements for strategic weapons systems which will meet vital national security objectives through the end of the century. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Johnson reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
20th Tactical Air Support SquadronDivision:
Pleiku Air Base, South VietnamAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Hansford Tillman Johnson, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Forward Air Controller of the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron, Pleiku Air Base, South Vietnam, directing tactical close air support strike missions against enemy supply, storage, and vehicle targets in Southeast Asia, from 1967 to 1968. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Johnson reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
20th Tactical Air Support SquadronDivision:
Pleiku Air Base, South VietnamAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Hansford Tillman Johnson, United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Forward Air Controller of the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron, Pleiku Air Base, South Vietnam, directing tactical close air support strike missions against enemy supply, storage, and vehicle targets in Southeast Asia, from 1967 to 1968. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Johnson reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
(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 General Hansford Tillman Johnson, 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 General Johnson and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.