Jungle Ace: The Story Of One Of The Usaaf's Great Fighter Leaders, Col. Gerald R. Johnson (the Warriors)

The brief but accomplished life of Army Air Forces fighter ace Gerald Johnson (1920–45) is the subject of John Bruning's latest book. During three years in the Pacific theater, Johnson shot down twenty-four Japanese aircraft in 265 combat missions. At the age of twenty-four, he commanded the highest-scoring fighter group in the Pacific, the 49th. Tragically, though Johnson had survived three combat tours, which included a mid-air collision with a Japanese aircraft and being shot down by friendly fire, he disappeared while flying a courier mission one month after the war's end. At the time he was one of the USAAF's youngest full colonels. Flying P-38s, Jerry Johnson shot down 24 aircraft in 265 combat missions in the Pacific theater. At the age of only twenty-four, he commanded the highest-scoring fighter group in the Pacific. Tragically, though Johnson had survived three combat tours, which included a mid-air collision with a Japanese aircraft and being shot down by friendly fire, the new father disappeared without a trace while flying a courier mission one month after the war’s end. For Gerald Richard Johnson, the long path that ultimately led him to the New Guinea jungles began in Akron, Ohio in June 1920.

the Life Of A Unique Warrior: A Daredevil Ace And A Top Air Commander