Herman A. Johnson facts for kids

Herman Archibald Johnson (born 1916 – died February 17, 2004) was an important American businessman. He was also a brave soldier and a leader in his community. He helped many people throughout his life.

A Life of Service

Herman Johnson was born in Schenectady, New York. He went to Cornell University for college. He also studied at the University of Chicago. There, he learned about managing people and hospitals.

A Brave Airman

During World War II, Herman Johnson became a Tuskegee Airman. These were a group of African-American military pilots. They fought bravely in the war. Herman served as a Major in the U.S. Army Air Forces. This was the air force branch of the U.S. military at the time.

Life After the War

After the war, Herman lived in Washington, D.C. He worked as a director at Howard University's teaching hospital. Later, he managed an office for the Supreme Life Insurance Company in Ohio. In the late 1950s, he moved to Kansas City.

In 1960, Herman married Dorothy H. (Dodge) Davis. Dorothy Johnson was also a well-known community leader. She worked as a journalist and in public relations. She also directed the Jackson County (Missouri) Department of Health and Welfare.

Business and Community Leader

In Kansas City, Herman Johnson owned his own insurance company. It was called the Herman Johnson Company. He also owned Lincoln Cemetery. This cemetery was important because it was one of the few places where African Americans could be buried. The famous musician Charlie Parker is buried there.

Herman Johnson also served in politics. He represented Kansas City, Missouri in the Missouri House of Representatives. He was a state representative from 1968 to 1972.

He was very active in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The NAACP is a group that works for civil rights for African Americans. Herman was president of the Kansas City NAACP branch twice in the 1960s. He also served on the board of the national NAACP Legal Defense Fund.

Herman Johnson cared about education. He started the Black Scholarship Fund at the University of Missouri. This fund helped African-American students go to college. At the time of his death, he was the chairman of the Douglas State Bank.

Herman Johnson passed away on February 17, 2004.

His Lasting Legacy

In August 2006, the Kansas City Council honored Herman Johnson. They named the 27th Street Bridge at Paseo Boulevard after him. Troy Nash, who suggested the idea, said Herman made "significant contributions to this city." The Kansas City Call newspaper called him "a gentleman, extraordinary, a man for all seasons." He was truly a distinguished leader.

A Case of Mistaken Identity

For a while, people thought Herman Johnson's father was Henry Johnson. This Henry Johnson was a hero from World War I. Herman even accepted an award for his "father" in 2003. However, this was a mistake. The mix-up was finally cleared up in 2015. This happened during research for the World War I hero to receive the Medal of Honor.