General Johnson.
General Leon William Johnson was born and raised in the midwestern United States. He graduated from the US military academy and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in June 1926. He later received his masters degree in meteorology at the California Institute of Technology. He became one of the first four flying officers assigned to the 8th airforce when it was activated at Savannah Georgia. He served as assistant chief of staff for operations for that command. He accompanied the 8th airforce to England in June 1942. In January 1943 he assumed command of the 44th bomb group. That June he took the group to North Africa on loan to the 9th airforce for the daring low level attack on the Ploesti oil fields in Romainia. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic leadership of that raid. Upon his return to England in Sept 1943 he organized the 14th combat wing and remained its commander until the end of the European war.
During his illustrious Career General Johnson never forgot his combat group, the 44th. Over the years since the 44th had written its pages of valorous deeds in the history of air war this heroic leader remained humble, always disclaiming his role in the Ploesti raid success. He felt his role was no greater a contribution than on any other mission. It seemed his happiest act, when at an assemblage of 44th Ploesti veterans, was when he would mingle among the men wearing his medal of honor around his neck, and asking: "would you care to hold your medal? Please take it your hand, it belongs to you, I am merely wearing it in your honor."