Hansford T. Johnson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hansford Tillman Johnson
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| Acting United States Secretary of the Navy | |
| In office February 7, 2003 – September 30, 2003 |
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| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Susan Livingstone |
| Succeeded by | Gordon R. England |
| 3rd United States Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Installations and Environment | |
| In office August 7, 2001 – March 1, 2005 |
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| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Duncan Holaday (acting) |
| Succeeded by | B. J. Penn |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 3, 1936 Aiken, South Carolina |
| Education | |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1959–1992 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | Air Mobility Command United States Transportation Command 22nd Bombardment Wing |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War Gulf War |
| Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal (2) Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Legion of Merit (3) Distinguished Flying Cross (3) |
Hansford Tillman (HT) Johnson, born on January 3, 1936, is a retired four-star general from the United States Air Force. He held a very important job as the Acting United States Secretary of the Navy. In this role, he was in charge of both the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps under President George W. Bush.
General Johnson is special because he is the only retired Air Force officer to ever be the Acting Secretary of the Navy. Before this, he was the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Installations and Environment. Today, he works at the Institute for Defense Analyses, a research center.
Contents
Early Life and Air Force Career
Hansford T. Johnson was born in Aiken, South Carolina, on January 3, 1936. After finishing high school in 1953, he went to Clemson College. In 1959, he graduated from the United States Air Force Academy. He was the top student in subjects like thermodynamics and aerodynamics.
He continued his education, earning a master's degree in aeronautics from Stanford University in 1967. Later, he received another master's degree in business from the University of Colorado in 1970. Johnson also attended several other important military schools. He was the very first graduate of the Air Force Academy to become a general.
Becoming a Pilot
After graduating from the Air Force Academy, Johnson married Linda Whittle. In 1960, he earned his pilot wings after flight training in Florida and Texas. His first job was flying C-130 Hercules transport planes. He flew these planes all over Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia.
After getting his master's degree from Stanford, Johnson volunteered to serve in Vietnam. In 1967, he flew with the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron. His job was a forward air controller, which meant he directed air attacks against enemy targets. He flew 423 combat missions, with 71 of them over North Vietnam.
After Vietnam, he taught aeronautics at the Air Force Academy. He then became the commander of the 22d Bombardment Wing in California. He also worked at the headquarters of the Strategic Air Command (SAC).
Leading Important Missions
From 1982 to 1985, Johnson led a team that managed the Air Force's large annual budget. In 1985, he directed refueling and reconnaissance missions for SAC during the bombing of Libya. After this, he became a vice commander for the Pacific Air Forces.
In 1987, he became the deputy commander of the United States Central Command (USCENTCOM). This was during Operation Earnest Will, when the U.S. protected oil tankers in the Persian Gulf. Later, he served as the Director of the Joint Staff for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Johnson finished his military career as the Commander of the United States Transportation Command. He also led the Military Airlift Command and was the first commander of the Air Mobility Command. Under his leadership, military forces moved troops and supplies for major operations. These included Operation Just Cause and the Operation Desert Storm. Moving supplies to the Persian Gulf was one of the largest movements in U.S. military history. Johnson retired from active duty on August 31, 1992.
Awards and Achievements
General Johnson is a highly skilled USAF Command Pilot. He has flown more than 7,800 hours, with over 1,000 of those hours in combat. He is also a qualified navigator and parachutist.
He has received many awards for his bravery and service. Some of his top awards include:
- Defense Distinguished Service Medal (twice)
- Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
- Silver Star
- Legion of Merit (three times)
- Distinguished Flying Cross (three times)
He also earned many other medals and unit awards, showing his dedication and success in various missions.
Later Work and Public Service
After retiring from the Air Force, Johnson continued to help military families. He became the vice chairman of USAA, a company that provides financial services to military members. He also chaired several USAA companies, including the bank.
Presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton appointed him to the 1993 Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC). This commission decided which military bases would close or change. When Kelly Air Force Base closed, Johnson helped turn it into a successful industrial center.
He later served as an executive vice president for the Credit Union National Association (CUNA). He also worked as a CEO for EG&G Technical Services.
On August 3, 2001, President George W. Bush asked Johnson to be the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Installations and Environment). He started this job four days later. Then, on February 7, 2003, the President asked him to become the Acting Secretary of the Navy. This was a very important role, making him the only Air Force officer to ever hold it.
After leaving the Department of the Navy, Johnson became a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA).
Family Life
Hansford Johnson was married to Linda until she passed away in January 2011. They have a son named Richard and a daughter named Beth. They also have six grandchildren.
