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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Earl Johnston (AFSN: FR-20240/0-2058492), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Navigator with the 723d Bombardment Squadron, 450th Bombardment Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations during World War II. Throughout many combat missions against highly important and strategic enemy installations, Lieutenant Johnston has demonstrated the highest order of professional skill, heroism, leadership and devotion to duty. Despite heavy enemy opposition encountered on these long and hazardous missions, together with severe and adverse weather conditions, his outstanding leadership, personal example and tactical skill has contributed materially to the defeat of the armed forces of the enemy. His conspicuous and extraordinary achievements throughout these many missions against the enemy has been of inestimable value to the success of combat operations and has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders G-1186 (August 11, 1967)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 Major Earl Johnston (AFSN: FR-20240/0-2058492), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief pilot over North Vietnam on 22 May 1967. On that date, Major Johnston was the commander of a large strike force responsible for the destruction of a vital supply barracks. Braving intense and accurate ground fire, surface-to-air missile launches, and numerous hostile aircraft, Major Johnston led the strike force through a successful mission. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Johnston reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders G-1204 (August 14, 1967)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Earl Johnston (AFSN: FR-20240/0-2058492), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief Pilot over North Vietnam, on 26 April 1967. On that date, Major Johnston was a member of the lead flight of an initial strike against a vital railway bridge. Under intense hostile fire and surface-to-air missile attacks, Major Johnston delivered his ordnance with deadly accuracy upon the target. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Johnston reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
First LieutenantRegiment:
8th Fighter-Bomber WingDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
December 15, 1952
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 First Lieutenant Earl Johnston (AFSN: FR-20240/0-2058492), United States Air Force, for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of an F-80 type aircraft for the 8th Fighter-Bomber Wing, FIFTH Air Force. As Flight Leader of four F-80 type aircraft on a close support mission just north of Big Norri, Lieutenant Johnston led his flight through flak and intense ground fire to set up a devastating bomb run. Although Lieutenant Johnston’s flight expended only six one thousand pound bombs, the accuracy was so exacting that five bunkers were destroyed, one automatic weapons emplacement was destroyed, one tank was severely damaged and a resulting secondary explosion rocked the area. The airborne controller who assessed the target damage stated that he had flown between eighty and ninety missions as a controller and that the pin-point accuracy displayed by Lieutenant Johnston and his flight was the best he had ever witnessed. The skill, superior leadership and coolness under fire displayed by Lieutenant Johnston reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
34th Tactical Fighter SquadronAction Date:
May 8, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air force, Special Order G-1130 (August 3, 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 Major Earl Johnston (AFSN: FR-20240/0-2058492), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as a member of the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action over North Vietnam on 8 May 1967. On that date, Major Johnston, as Mission Commander of a nine flight strike force, planned and led the force to attack a heavily defended airfield. In spite of extremely adverse weather conditions in both the refueling area and en route to the target, he successfully led his force through the intense and deadly anti-aircraft fire to completely destroy the target. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Johnston has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.