Caption | Col Leon W Johnson points to scoreboard of B-24 Liberator “Victory Ship” as LGen Jacob L Devers and LGen Ira C Eaker look on, RAF Shipdham, Norfolk, England, UK, Nov 22 1943. The horizontal bomb represents the low level attack on Ploesti, Aug 1 1943 ww2dbase | |||||||||||
Photographer | Unknown | |||||||||||
Source | ww2dbaseUnited States National Archives via D. Sheley | |||||||||||
More on... |
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Photos on Same Day | 1 Aug 1943 | |||||||||||
Photos at Same Place | Norfolk, England, United Kingdom | |||||||||||
Added By | David Stubblebine | |||||||||||
This photograph has been scaled down; full resolution photograph is available here (3,781 by 3,057 pixels). | ||||||||||||
Licensing | Public Domain. According to the US National Archives, as of 21 Jul 2010: Please contact us regarding any inaccuracies with the above information. Thank you. |
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Colorized By WW2DB |
Colorized with Adobe Photoshop |
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Visitor Submitted Comments
2. Zoran Petek says:
1 Feb 2015 04:29:32 AM
Short clip of Johnson receiving Medal of Honor at
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wl9MA3twfgM
1 Feb 2015 04:29:32 AM
Short clip of Johnson receiving Medal of Honor at
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wl9MA3twfgM
All visitor submitted comments are opinions of those making the submissions and do not reflect views of WW2DB.
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Famous WW2 Quote
"Among the men who fought on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue."Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, 16 Mar 1945
14 Jan 2013 09:54:00 PM
Note also the paper covering the 44th Bomb Group’s Flying 8-Ball emblem for censorship reasons. The occasion was the presentation of Col Johnson’s Medal of Honor for his leadership in the Ploesti Raid. The Medal of Honor citation reads:
For conspicuous gallantry in action and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on August 1, 1943. Col. Johnson, as commanding officer of a heavy bombardment group, led the formation of the aircraft of his organization constituting the fourth element of the mass low-level bombing attack of the 9th U.S. Air Force against the vitally important enemy target of the Ploesti oil refineries. While proceeding to the target on this 2,400-mile flight, his element became separated from the leading elements of the mass formation in maintaining the formation of the unit while avoiding dangerous cumulous cloud conditions encountered over mountainous territory. Though temporarily lost, he reestablished contact with the third element and continued on the mission with this reduced force to the prearranged point of attack, where it was discovered that the target assigned to Col. Johnson's group had been attacked and damaged by a preceding element. Though having lost the element of surprise upon which the safety and success of such a daring form of mission in heavy bombardment aircraft so strongly depended, Col. Johnson elected to carry out his planned low-level attack despite the thoroughly alerted defenses, the destructive antiaircraft fire, enemy fighter airplanes, the imminent danger of exploding delayed action bombs from the previous element, of oil fires and explosions, and of intense smoke obscuring the target. By his gallant courage, brilliant leadership, and superior flying skill, Col. Johnson so led his formation as to destroy totally the important refining plants and installations which were the object of his mission. Col. Johnson's personal contribution to the success of this historic raid, and the conspicuous gallantry in action, and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty demonstrated by him on this occasion constitute such deeds of valor and distinguished service as have during our Nation's history formed the finest traditions of our Armed Forces.