Thomas E. Johnson
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Forces

On 20 December 1943, Staff Sergeant Thomas E. Johnson was serving as Flight Engineer and Gunner of a B-24 Liberator Bomber in the 579th Bombardment Squadron, 392nd Bombardment Group (Heavy), Eighth Air Force.

On that day, SSG Johnson’s unit was in action against German forces while participating in a bombing mission against enemy ground targets in the European Theater of Operations. SSG Johnson's B-24 bomber (SN 41-29135) nicknamed 'Last Frontier' was engaged in an especially hazardous mission to Bremen, Germany, and flak had damaged it severely, knocking out 2 engines. Over his home base, RAF Wendling near East Dereham, England, the other 2 engines quit and, with the interphone communication system inoperable, the pilot called out for a crash landing. As engineer, SSG Johnson knew that one of the gunners was caught in the nose of the bomber - a sure death trap in a crash landing. Realizing that the gunner could not have heard the order for a crash landing, SSG Johnson crawled into the nose and, without stopping to explain, pulled the gunner out. With precious seconds slipping by as the bomber came closer to the earth, SSG Johnson stepped back into the bomb bay and threw the gunner to safety on the flight deck, but was unable to escape himself. SSG Johnson’s courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

SSG Johnson’s death was listed as Death-Non Battle (DNB).

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Air Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal
Aerial Gunner Badge
Flight Engineer Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

Staff Sergeant Thomas E. Johnson (ASN: 18050657), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Flight Engineer and Gunner of a B-24 Heavy Bomber in the 579th Bombardment Squadron, 392d Bombardment Group (H), EIGHTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 20 December 1943, against enemy ground targets in the European Theater of Operations. On that date, Staff Sergeant Johnson's B-24 Bomber was engaged in an especially hazardous mission to Bremen. Flak had damaged his aircraft severely, knocking out two engines. Over his home base, the other two engines quit. With interphone communication out, the pilot called out for a crash landing. The engineer knew that one of the gunners was caught in the nose of the bomber-a sure death trap on a crash landing. Realizing that the gunner could not have heard the order for a crash landing, Sergeant Johnson crawled into the nose and, without stopping to explain, pulled the gunner out. With precious seconds slipping by as the bomber came closer to the earth, Sergeant Johnson stepped back into the bomb bay and threw the gunner to safety on the flight deck. Sergeant Johnson never escaped from the bomb bay. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Staff Sergeant Johnson on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 19 (1944)

Burial

The location of Staff Sergeant Thomas E. Johnson's burial is unknown.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/186111463?search=true