John M. Johnson – “Tell Me When You See the Guns”
John M. Johnson was commander of Air Wing 8 onboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the Mediterranean. He describes their involvement in the Balkans War, supporting Provide Promise and Deny Flight. Rules of engagement were changed to improve support for UN Peacekeepers.
John M. Johnson – Fighting the War in Vietnam, USS SARATOGA
John M. Johnson recounts his experience as a lieutenant in the Vietnam War, where he and his fellow soldiers were eager to fight for freedom but also recognized the war’s mismanagement and growing unpopularity. Despite heavy casualties, they believed they fulfilled their duty by only bombing legitimate targets. Johnson expresses relief that President Nixon ultimately […]
John M. Johnson – “They were actually bombs” – Terrorism Ashore 1989
John M. Johnson recounts a time when two junior officers narrowly avoided disaster when inviting locals back to the ship for a tour during a port visit.