Robert S. Johnson

Robert S. Johnson (May 21, 1920 – December 10, 2010) was a United States Army Air Forces officer who flew combat in both the Pacific and European Theaters of World War II.

Johnson was one of the top-scoring USAAF fighter pilots in the European Theater of Operations, and he was the first U.S. pilot to exceed Eddie Rickenbacker's World War I tally of 26 enemy planes and is the fourth highest-scoring USAAF ace in the European Theater of Operations during World War II.

Johnson was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in April 1944, becoming the first living recipient of this award in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. He also received the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross with three oak leaf clusters, and the Air Medal with thirty-nine oak leaf clusters, among other awards and recognitions.

Johnson is credited with shooting down 28 enemy aircraft, with 26 of those victories recorded in the European Theater against German aircraft. He also destroyed two enemy aircraft in the Pacific Theater.

After the war, Johnson worked for 32 years for Fairchild Industries, a U.S. defense contractor. He held various positions and worked on projects such as F-105 Thunderchief, A-10 Thunderbolt II, and T-46 aircraft. He retired in 1979.