Robert Samuel Johnson (1920–98) was an American fighter pilot and military officer renowned for his heroic service during World War II. As one of the distinguished Tuskegee Airmen, he broke racial barriers and contributed significantly to the success of the 332nd Fighter Group, earning recognition as one of the war’s most skilled aviators.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Johnson developed a strong interest in aviation early on, which led him to become a pilot despite the racial segregation of the time. He attended a local high school and later worked various jobs to support his family while nurturing his passion for flying. In 1941, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces and became a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African American pilots trained at the Tuskegee Army Airfield in Alabama.
Johnson’s accomplishments in the skies were remarkable. He flew combat missions in the European Theater, primarily piloting the P-47 Thunderbolt and later the P-51 Mustang. He is credited with shooting down at least 27 enemy aircraft, making him one of the top African American aces of the war. His valor and achievements were pivotal in demonstrating the capabilities of African American pilots, challenging racial prejudices within the military and beyond.
His life and career were highlighted in his autobiography, Red Tail Captured, Red Tail Free (1947.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Robert S. Johnson
The place where light and dark begin to touch is where miracles arise.
—Robert S. Johnson
Topics: Miracles
Make your top managers rich and they will make you rich.
—Robert S. Johnson
Topics: Management
Nothing makes a man more aware of his capabilities and of his limitations than those moments when he must push aside all the familiar defenses of ego and vanity, and accept reality by staring, with the fear that is normal to a man in combat, into the face of Death.
—Robert S. Johnson
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