Carl C. Johnson facts for kids

Carl C. Johnson is a retired officer from the U.S. Army Air Force and U.S. Army. He also worked as an airport commissioner in Cleveland, Ohio and as a deputy director at Pittsburgh International Airport.

Johnson was the very last cadet pilot to graduate from the famous Tuskegee Airmen program.

Growing Up

Johnson was born in Bellaire, Ohio. This town is right on the border between Ohio and West Virginia, close to Wheeling, West Virginia.

He grew up during a time when Jim Crow laws caused racial segregation in many parts of the United States. This meant people were separated based on their race. However, Johnson was lucky to attend a high school where students of all races learned together. After high school, Johnson went to Ohio State University. He studied there to become a dentist.

In 1947, Johnson finished his active duty with the U.S. Army Air Force. He then went back to Ohio State University. It was there that he met his future wife, Nancy.

Military Service

In 1945, Johnson was drafted into the U.S. Army. He officially joined the U.S. Army Air Force at Fort Hayes in Columbus, Ohio.

At first, the USAAF sent Johnson to bases in Texas and Indiana. In early 1946, Johnson and 14 other African American draftees were accepted into the aviation cadet program at Tuskegee Army Air Field. This was Class SE-45-I. When traveling to Alabama, Johnson experienced the strict Jim Crow segregation. Even though he had a ticket for a nicer train car, he was made to sit in a separate coach seat. This seat was behind the train’s hot engine, so he arrived covered in soot. He was also not allowed to eat in the train’s dining car because of his race.

During his training, Johnson got appendicitis. This meant he could not graduate with his class on January 29, 1946. He was worried he might be removed from the program, like many other cadets. But Johnson kept training after recovering for two weeks. His instructors told the commanding general that Johnson would be the very last cadet to finish the program. In October 1946, Johnson graduated from Tuskegee’s Class 46-C Twin Engine Section. He earned his wings as a flight officer.

After graduating, Johnson was sent to Enid Army Air Field in Oklahoma. Then he moved to Lockbourne AFB in Columbus, Ohio. There, he was part of the 617th Bomber Squadron, which belonged to the 477th Bombardment Group Composite. He was discharged in 1947. While a student at Ohio State University in 1947, Johnson joined the Ohio National Guard. He was part of its only African American unit.

Later, Johnson returned to active duty. He served as a U.S. Army aviator during the Korean War.

During the Vietnam War, Johnson was in charge of an aviation battalion with seven companies. He also commanded a U.S. Army Aviation Battalion in South Korea. Johnson retired from the U.S. Air Force as a colonel. He served in the U.S. military for 31 years.

After the Military

After retiring from the military, Johnson worked for the Federal Aviation Administration. He also worked for the U.S. Department of Defense.

He was a commissioner for the airport in Cleveland, Ohio. He also served as the deputy director of the Pittsburgh International Airport.

Johnson now lives in the Potomac Green community in Ashburn, Virginia.

Awards and Recognitions

• Distinguished Flying Cross, for his service in Vietnam
• Ten (10) Air Medals

Special Honors

• In 2007, Johnson and all the Tuskegee Airmen received the Congressional Gold Medal. This is one of the highest civilian awards in the United States.
• On May 1, 2021, the town of Ashburn, Virginia, and the Loudoun County, Virginia Sheriff’s Office honored Johnson. They held a parade to celebrate his 95th birthday.
• On August 14, 2021, Johnson was the only original Tuskegee Airman to attend a special event. At this event, U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff General Charles Q. Brown was made an honorary member of the Tuskegee Airmen Association.
• On May 29, 2021, the American Legion Post 2001 gave Johnson a battery-powered wheelchair. This was to help him as he was not feeling well.

See also

• Executive Order 9981
• List of Tuskegee Airmen
• Military history of African Americans
• The Tuskegee Airmen (movie)