Johnson, George C. , Jr

Description

George C. Johnson, Jr. was born in New York on 5-Oct-20. He was the son off George C. and Gertrude Johnson and had a younger sister Gail. His father was an accountant who worked in the publishing industry and his mother was born in Norway and was a homemaker.

Growing up in Rye at 51 Orchard Lane, George was very active in camping and sports. He was also involved in student government and played on the school tennis team graduating Rye High School in 1940.

George also attended New York University prior to his enlistment in the armed forces. George served as an officer in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.

George enlisted in the U. S. Army Air Corps on April 2, 1942. And was sent for basic training at Montgomery, Ala. On June 15, he was accepted for army flying training and he completed his primary training at Orangeburg, S. C. .

George was commissioned a second lieutenant upon graduation from the Army Air Forces Advanced Flying School, Napier Field, Dothan, Ala. in March 1943.

After he was commissioned he left for overseas duty in August 1943. He immediately started flying daylight combat missions over France and Germany. On September 30, 1944, he married in London, Miss Dorrett Becker of that city.

His sister, Miss Grace Johnson, WAC, was in the Pacific Theater of War Operations at the time. By this time Lieut. Johnson had completed thirty missions over Germany and had been transferred to the 40th Depot Repair Squadron as a test pilot.

On December 12, 1944 The War Department informed his parents that he was killed in England November 25. 1944 in his role as a test pilot.

Lieut. George C. Johnson, Jr. had previously been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal before losing his life in England. His remains were returned home and he was buried at Lakeview Cemetery, New Canaan, Fairfield County, Connecticut.

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