Leon W. Johnson

Leading the low-level raid on Ploesti

Leon William Johnson was born on 13 September 1904 in Columbia, Missouri. He commanded the 44th Bombardment Group as a colonel during the Second World War.

On 1 August 1943, Johnson led his group in the low-level attack on the oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania. His formation became separated from the leading aircraft in cloud over mountainous terrain, but he restored contact with another element and continued. Finding his assigned target already attacked, he carried out the mission despite alerted defenses, smoke, fires and the danger of earlier delayed-action bombs. His group destroyed the assigned refining installations.

Lieutenant General Jacob Devers presented Johnson with the Medal of Honor in England on 22 November 1943. Johnson later attained the rank of general. He died on 10 November 1997 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. His medal is held by the United States Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous gallantry in action and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 1 August 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 cumulus 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 anitaircraft fire, enemy fighter planes, 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.