Major Johnson was the pilot of a F4U-4B Corsair fighter with Marine Fighter Squadron 212, Marine Air Group 12, 1st Marine Air Wing. On 23 April 1952, while on a combat mission, his aircraft crashed into its target and exploded. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on 16 December 1953. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.

For his leadership and valor, Major Johnson was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 2 Gold Stars, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.