“…Born and raised in Minneapolis, Lieutenant Colonel Johnson enjoyed playing music with his garage band, the Commodores, and studying airplanes.
Upon graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1955, Johnson enlisted in the Minnesota Air National Guard, where he served for 2 years before entering the U.S. Air Force Academy to become an officer. After he received his commission as a second lieutenant, Johnson went on to earn his wings and begin his career flying the F-100 Super Sabre, one of the planes that he would fly during the Vietnam war. It was in this plane that Johnson earned the Silver Star, defending the Tong Le Chan Special Forces camp, heroically making nine passes at low altitude against intense hostile fire in support of our troops.
Later in the war, after being forced to eject over North Vietnam, Johnson would spend nearly 15 months as a POW in Hanoi. Despite this trying time, Johnson’s resolve and the love he had for his country remained intact, and he continued to serve for many years after his release in 1973.
Our country will always need brave men like Lt. Col. Kenneth R. Johnson. He embodied our Nation’s most cherished values and served as an example to us all… (1)
Source (1): https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CREC-2016-01-27/html/CREC-2016-01-27-pt1-PgS250.htm
Kenneth R. Johnson, Lt Col USAF, Ret., POW, “Headed West” on August 29, 2015.
Johnson died Aug. 29 after a year of failing health. He was 77. Johnson was a highly decorated pilot with the U.S. Air Force, where he earned a Silver Star Medal for heroism and numerous other commendations during his 24 years of service, which included two combat tours in Vietnam and 453 days as a prisoner of war.
Johnson graduated from Minneapolis Roosevelt High School, where he played trombone in the school band and was part of a garage band called the Commodores. In 1955 he enlisted in the Minnesota Air National Guard, then gained his honorable discharge to enroll at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado. He received his commission as a 2nd lieutenant in June 1961.
After completing undergraduate pilot training and earning his wings at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia, he got his first assignment as an F-100 pilot with the 494th Tactical Fighter Squadron. His career featured two combat tours in Vietnam and included flight instructor duties. He flew more than 250 missions, often under heavy enemy fire. He was recognized for his skill and bravery with two Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Bronze Stars, 15 Air Medals, two Air Force Commendations, two Purple Hearts and the Silver Star, the third-highest military decoration for valor awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Johnson was delivering munitions with the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron on Dec. 18, 1971, when his F-4D became disabled over North Vietnam, and he and his navigator were forced to eject. He was captured and held in Hanoi until he was released on March 14, 1973.
Ken Johnson retired from the Air Force in 1985. After that he held positions with Boeing Vertol, which is now part of the American aircraft manufacturer’s division responsible for defense and aerospace products and services. He also worked for American Bonanza Society and the Flight Safety Corp. (1)
He is survived “by his brother Phil; his two sons, Bradley and David; and his sister, Delores. May we always remember and cherish his memory.”(2)
He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Source:(1) https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/153447350/kenneth-richard-johnson, (2) https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CREC-2016-01-27/html/CREC-2016-01-27-pt1-PgS250.htm
JOHNSON, KENNETH
RIP 08/29/2015
Name: Kenneth Johnson
Rank/Branch: O4/United States Air Force, pilot
Unit: 555th TFS
Date of Birth: 23 May 1938
Home City of Record: Minneapolis MN
Date of Loss: 19 December 1971
Country of Loss: North Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 200900 North 1042700 East
Status (in 1973): Returnee
Category:
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: F4D
Other Personnel in Incident: Samuel Vaughn, returnee
Kenneth Johnson retired from the United States Air Force as a Lt. Colonel.
Source: Compiled by P.O.W. NETWORK 06 from one or more of the following: raw
data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA
families, published sources, interviews. 2023
REMARKS: 730314 RELEASED BY DRV
