William H. Johnson

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) William H. Johnson (ASN: 0-746359), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-17 Heavy Bomber of the 711th Bombardment Squadron, 447th Bombardment Group, EIGHTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on 13 April 1944, against enemy ground targets in the European Theater of Operations. When his B-17 was heavily damaged during a bombing mission, First Lieutenant Johnson kept his ship in the air long enough to allow his crew to bail out. He was killed instantly shortly thereafter when his bomber plunged nose-first into a field. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by First Lieutenant Johnson on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.