Edward C. Johnson
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
Edward C. Johnson served in World War II volunteering for service in the U.S. Army Air Corps on December 3, 1942.
He served in the European Theater and was assigned to the 8th Air Force – 2nd Air Division, 489th Bomb Group at Halesworth, England. During his service he flew in 22 combined combat missions. His rank was Technical Sergeant.
Mr. Johnson was awarded the Air Medal, and three Bronze Stars.
Mr. Johnson was born in Superior, Wisconsin in March of 1924. He is the son of Edward and Cova Johnson. He graduated from high school and later attended three years of college.
Source: Veterans’ Memorial Hall veteran history form; veteran’s account follows:
“Interesting close calls during the summer and fall of 1944. 22 missions (bombing) over France and Germany. Flight engineer on the Shroyer crew (B-24). Ten people in the crew.
Missions: #5 - 7/21 - Munich, Germany – very heavy flak in area - #3 engine turbo hit - we lost power – we hit bridge and railroad yards – fell behind our flight - navigator found full cloud cover between 14,000 feet and 10,00 feet – we flew on 3 engines over 500 miles back to Halesworth, England, our base. We were over 45 minutes after our group had landed.
#6 - 7/24 – Saint Lo, France – to break out for troops – we were flying in slot position behind group leader – with bomb doors open and ready to drop – a radio signal told us to hold bombs and return to base. At the same time, the lead airplane took a direct flak hit in area of #3 engine – it blew up – all members (except one radio operator were killed) – airplane wings broke off outside of #2 and #3 engines – we were at 11,000 feet. We went back the next day and did drop our bombs – troops broke out on a 15-mile front.
#11 - 8/6 - Scuall, Germany – refinery south of Keil, Denmark on a river that could take ocean going vessels and cruisers and subs – very open skies – on our bomb run, a B-24 off of our right wing got hit by flak – on the right wing and was on fire – we were very close to dropping bombs – he stayed on the bomb run – dropped his bombs, made a right turn, crew bailed out – I saw 10 men bail out at 23,000 feet – one dropped out about 2,000 feet and opened his chute (a cold ride down at -24 degrees F) – supposed to open at 500-1000 feet – 4 crew members were killed on the ground by farmers with pitchforks, before German police/soldiers picked up the others.
#20 - 9/21/44 - Koblenz, Germany – marshaling yards – we got hit on the bomb run from P.C. to target – flak took out #3 engine and knocked our hydraulic pump from the bomb bay wall – it fell out of the airplane and broke off the inlet and outlet pipes. We lost all hydraulic fluid except what remained in the hydraulic ball– I had to inform the pilots of the bad shape we were in (crew in rear of the aircraft had strapped on their parachutes waiting for orders to bail out.) I informed them it was hydraulic fluid and not gasoline – I then informed the pilot and navigator what we could do to get back to the base – they agreed with me that we would give it a try – I set up the necessary procedures to do the landing and they agreed to try – we walked away from our late landing and the airplane was junked – no one was hurt.
-9/25 – Koblenz, Germany – we got flak, but no holes.
-9/28 – Kassel, Germany – lots of flak, but no holes. This was the last mission our flight crew flew (needed 3 more to get the Distinguished Flying Cross) – pilot was grounded - found blood clot behind one knee. Flight operations wouldn’t let other crew members fill in on other crews. They said that we had too much experience to break us up – we were to wait for Shroyer to return. On 11/30 the 489th bomb group was broken up to go back to U.S. to form B-29 crews to go to Japan – I was one of them.”
Missions Flown by Shroyer Crew
06/29/44 – flew into Germany, had a runaway engine – returned to base 07/06/44 – second mission to Keil, Denmark - bombed submarine base 07/07-11/44 – Munich, Germany - #3 engine was hit
07/13/44 – bombed marshalling yards – Saarburkucken, Germany
07/21/44 – Munich, Germany – we returned without escort, lost engine due to flak
07/24/44 – Saint Lo, France – lead bomber took direct hit in front of us and blew up
07/25/44 – Saint Lo, France – did drop bombs
08/02/44 – bombed a buzz bomb site in Northern France
08/04/44 – bombed aircraft factory in Wissel, Germany
08/05/44 – bombed ordinance depot in Brunswick, Germany
08/06/44 – bombed refinery in Schulau, Germany 08/08/44 – Romily, France – bombed an airbase
08/11/44 – Saarburkucken, Germany – bombed an airbase
08/12/44 – Laone, France – bombed bridge on river, blew engine – flew back on 3 engines 0
8/25/44 – Rostock, Germany – bombed aircraft assembly plant
08/26/44 – Trier, Germany – bombed chemical works
08/27/44 – Berlin, Germany – engine problems on way out
09/10/44 – Schern, Germany – bombed jet propulsion works
09/11/44 – Magedhrburg, Germany – bombed ordinance works
09/21/44 – Koblenz, Germany – bombed marshalling yards on Rhine River – hit by flak – lost hydraulic pump and #3 engine
09/25/44 – Koblenz, Germany – bombed marshalling yards
09/28/44 – Kassle, Germany – bombed locomotive factor
