By Marie Pfeifer and Kevin Coughlin
Never volunteer for anything in the service, he was told.
But that would not do for Capt. George R. A. Johns, who at 17 was among the youngest fighter pilots to fly for the Marines in World War II.
So he volunteered for a harrowing mission over Japan. During WWII and the Korean War, he flew 250 missions, shot down 11 enemy planes, and survived being shot down himself. His exploits won him four Distinguished Flying Crosses.
Johns, CEO of Harsen & Johns Architects PA in Morristown, was honored Monday in a Memorial Day ceremony on the Green.
“If there is one thing that I would like to pass along this is it: Everything that America became is from people who sacrificed,” said Johns.
Photos by Katharine Boyle. Please click icon below for captions.
Attending dignitaries included Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty and Council Members Michelle Dupree Harris and Alison Deeb; Police Chief Pete Demnitz and Fire Chief Bob Flanagan; and former Mayor Jay DeLaney Jr.
Morris Township was represented by Deputy Mayor Bruce Sisler and Committeewoman Louise Johnson, Police Chief John McGuinness and Fire Chief Scott Lovenberg; and former Mayor Kathleen Ginty Hyland.
Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco (R-25th Dist.) also came to the Green, as did Mary Tracey, the widow of veteran J. Robert Tracey, whose impassioned speeches rang out there for 56 Memorial Days prior to his death in 2012.
The 3rd Battalion, 112th Field Artillery, gave a three- gun salute. Joe Notowicz, commander of JWV Post 213, and Marine Sgt. Richard Conti, solemnly read aloud names of veterans who have died since last year. Morristown High School buglers Sienna Benjamin and Daniel Ribaudo played Taps.
Photos by Marie Pfeifer. Please click icon below for captions.
Johns’ example of service has extended through the generations: His youngest son, Michael, also became a captain in the Marines. Johns’ grandson, Steven, is a captain who commanded Marines in Afghanistan in 2009.
“My Dad was a great story-teller, and I only listened with half an ear until his stories were confirmed by other veterans. Now I pay attention,” said Johns’ daughter, Deborah Kline.
Johns’ grandson, Steven Kline, forwarded his grandfather’s remarks:
I was part of VMF-221, the Fighting Falcons, a reserve aviation squadron that has since been deactivated.
When we passed the shore, the Japanese were everywhere. Probably 200 aircraft. As they came after us, my wingman (2nd Lt. Pemble) was shot down and he died on impact.
I was summoned up to Admiral Mitchner’s office. He awarded me, on the spot, my first Distinguished Flying Cross.
A previous plane came back with part of a cable in it. The North Koreans were stringing wire between mountaintops to prevent us from flying. In all my wisdom (which was not much at the time) I flew at treetop level, while others flew higher. I stayed alive, but I could have died easily on any one of those missions. Many of the other pilots clipped those wires and died.
Videos of George R.A. Johns speech, by Wendy Redding
