Dick Johnson (test pilot)
Richard Lowe "Dick" Johnson (September 21, 1917 - November 9, 2002) is best known for being chief test pilot for Convair, a division of the American defence contractor General Dynamics, and as a founding member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots in 1955.
Biography
Johnson was born in Cooperstown, North Dakota, and educated at Oregon State University. In 1942, Johnson enlisted in the US Army Air Corps and served as a P-47 Thunderbolt pilot with the 57th Group’s, 66th Fighter Squadron, in North Africa and Italy. He completed 180 combat missions and was awarded the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, four Distinguished Flying Crosses and fourteen Air Medals. The F-86A set its first official world speed record of 671 miles per hour (1,080 km/h) on September 15, 1948 at Muroc Dry Lake flown by Major Richard L. Johnson, USAF. Johnson remained in the US Air Force until 1953, having reached the rank of lieutenant colonel.
He died of brain cancer on November 9, 2002, and was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
Decorations
Silver Star
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross with 3 oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with 13 oak leaf clusters
Other awards
- Ivan C. Kincheloe Award in 1967, for the General Dynamics F-111 test program.