NC Recipient Douglass P. Johnson Uniform Trifecta

[carnut63]

Three great uniforms belonging to Douglass Pollock "Johnnie" Johnson.

Biography:

Douglass Johnson was born November 22, 1896 in Mexico, Missouri. Known to his classmates as "Dippy" (for his first two initials), he was scheduled to graduate the US Naval Academy class of 1920, but due to the accelerated nature of training during World War I he was graduated in 1919.

As an ensign in 1920, he was assigned to the USS Charleston (C-22)operating in a reduced commission status in Bremerton, Washington. His next tour was onboard the USS Chase (DD-323). The next 20 years are a blur so far. At some point Johnson went to flight training and earned his wings. In 1940 he was a LCDR onboard Naval Station Bremerton and then in 1942 he became the first CO of Fleet Air Wing 6 based out of Seattle. Following that tour he also became the first CO of the USS Fanshaw Bay (CVE-70). First with TU 52.14.1 at Marianas then with TF 77.4.3 at Samar. It was here at Samar that his actions as the CO of the Fanshaw Bay earned him the Navy Cross.
His last tour was as the CO off the USS Ranger (CV-4) stationed in San Diego. It was here that the blue coat was tailored and dated in March of 1945 after his NC was awarded. At this point the USS Ranger served primarily as a training and flight deck qualification carrier.

He passed away December 2nd, 1975 and was along side his wife Ann at the Annapolis Cemetery.


Navy Cross Citation:
Awarded for actions during the World War II
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Douglass Pollock Johnson, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Escort Carrier U.S.S. FANSHAW BAY (CVE-70), during a strike against major units of the enemy Japanese Fleet, in the Battle off Samar Island, on 25 October 1944. When a formidable column of Japanese battleships, cruisers and destroyers attacked our small Task Unit of Escort Carriers, Captain Johnson skillfully maneuvered his ship to avoid crippling blows from an enemy force vastly superior in numbers, armor, firepower and speed, successfully brought the FANSHAW BAY through this history-making battle, thereby contributing essentially to the eventual rout of this powerful Japanese force. His leadership, professional skill and courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 0678 (February 11, 1945)
Action Date: 25-Oct-44
Service: Navy
Rank: Captain
Company: Commanding Officer
Division: U.S.S. Fanshaw Bay (CVE-70)


PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION to TASK UNIT SEVENTY-SEVEN POINT FOUR POINT THREE, consisting of the U.S.S. FANSHAW BAY and VC-88; U.S.S. GAMBIER BAY and VC-10; U.S.S. KALININ BAY and VC-3; U.S.S. KITKUN BAY and VC-5; U.S.S. SAINT LO and VC-65; U.S.S. WHITE PLAINS and VC-4; U.S.S. HOEL, U.S.S. JOHNSTON, U.S.S. HEERMANN, U.S.S. SAMUEL B. ROBERTS, U.S.S. RAYMOND, U.S.S. DENNIS and U.S.S. JOHN C. BUTLER

for service as set forth in the following CITATION

"For extraordinary heroism in action against powerful units of the Japanese Fleet during the Battle off Samar, Philippines, October 25, 1944. Silhouetted against the dawn as the Central Japanese Force steamed through San Bernardino Strait towards Leyte Gulf, Task Unit 77.4.3 was suddenly taken under attack by hostile cruisers on its port hand, destroyers on the starboard and battleships from the rear. Quickly laying down a heavy smoke screen, the gallant ships of the Task Unit waged battle fiercely against the superior speed and fire power of the advancing enemy, swiftly launching and rearming aircraft and violently zigzagging in protection of vessels stricken by hostile armor-piercing shells, anti-personnel projectiles and suicide bombers. With one carrier of the group sunk, others badly damaged and squadron aircraft courageously coordinating in the attacks by making dry runs over the enemy Fleet as the Japanese relentlessly closed in for the kill, two of the Unit's valiant destroyers and one destroyer escort charged the battleships point-blank and, expending their last torpedoes in desperate defense of the entire group, went down under the enemy's heavy shells as a climax to two and one half hours of sustained and furious combat. The courageous determination and the superb teamwork of the officers and men who fought the embarked planes and who manned the ships of Task Unit 77.4.3 were instrumental in effecting the retirement of a hostile force threatening our Leyte invasion operations and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

For the President,

(Signed)
James Forrestal
Secretary of the Navy



PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION to the UNITED STATES SHIP FANSHAW BAY and her attached Air Squadrons participating in the following operations:

VC-68, Marianas Operation, June 15 to 18, 1944;
VC-66, Western New Guinea, September 15 to October 12, 1944;
VC-68, Leyte Operation, October 18 to 24, 1944;
VC-68, Leyte Operation, October 26 to 29, 1944;
VOC-2, Okinawa Gunto Operation, March 25 to June 23, 1945;
VOC-2, THIRD Fleet Operations against Japan, July 10 to 27, 1945,

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

"For extraordinary heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces in the air, ashore and afloat. Operating continuously in the most advanced areas, the U.S.S. FANSHAW BAY and her air squadrons destroyed or damaged hostile warships, aircraft, merchant shipping and shore installations despite frequent and sustained air attacks. She sent out her planes repeatedly in spotting and strike missions to annihilate the enemy's ground installations, troops, tanks, trucks and parked aircraft and to destroy his airborne planes. Operating as a highly disciplined and superbly coordinated team throughout 124 days of action, the FANSHAW BAY and her air groups achieved an illustrious record of performance in combat which reflects the highest credit upon her gallant officers and men and upon the United States Naval Service."

For the President,

(Signed)
John L. Sullivan
Secretary of the Navy

Khaki coat is missing his wings and shoulder boards. Someone has neatly removed the board straps from the shoulders for some reason.




Aviation green coat. Also in perfect shape except the ribbons have been removed. You can see where they were originally. Wide ribbons with small spacing in between and in the same arrangement as the other 2 uniforms.



Dress blue coat. Nice condition except that someone removed the bullion wings. You can see very faint traces of where it was sewn on.

DEAD LINKS - replaced by OP

[navyman]

Three nice looking jackets with some pretty good history!!

 

Jason

[RustyCanteen]

Very nice!

 

RC

[Kurt Barickman]

WOW! No that is a great group of USN officer uniforms and a Navy Cross recipient to boot! Congrats and thanks for posting.

 

Kurt Barickman

[KASTAUFFER]

Very nice! I love the ribbons.

 

Kurt

[Jack's Son]

I'm not big on uniforms, but those three have a great history, and are in nice shape. The ribbons are correct and show the proper aging!

[carnut63]

 

 

Bump. Does anyone know who/how I can go about restoring the 1/2" ribbons that were originally sewn onto this coat? Do I have to just individually seek orginal ones these out on eBay? If I do gather them, is there even a way to do this like they were originally?

[RustyCanteen]

Bump. Does anyone know who/how I can go about restoring the 1/2" ribbons that were originally sewn onto this coat? Do I have to just individually seek orginal ones these out on eBay? If I do gather them, is there even a way to do this like they were originally?

 

 

I think someone was offering a service at one point to assemble them for restorations.

 

You might try asking about it in the "Medals & Decorations" section in case some of the active members there miss this post.

 

(Very nice uniforms!)

[market garden]

Great uniform from a local Missourian. Thank You!!

[KASTAUFFER]

NIce jackets! Since you already have 2 of them with ribbons on them already, I would be tempted to just leave the green alone and not restore it with new sew on ribbons.

 

Kurt

[Kurt Barickman]

Or do 1/2 inch Wolf Brown plastic ones. Kurt

[RustyCanteen]

Whatever you choose to do, it can't hurt to place a little note in the pocket documenting any restoration for future collectors.

[ReverendJake]

One of the nicest 1/2 inch-racks I've seen on a navy uniform.

[carnut63]

In my constant effort to replace the broken photo links I will add some more here. I still havent replaced the ribbons on the greens yet, primarily because I have no idea how. I have added some period wings on the khakis but not havent gotten a used bullion set for the blues yet.

 

 

 

[carnut63]

Connection speed out to sea is a trial of patience.

 

 

 

 

 

[carnut63]

Well it's been 3 1/2 years but I finally got around to replacing the 1/2" sewn ribbons on the green jacket. I moved the wing about 1/8" up and sewn the ribbons and wing on in the exact same hidden stitch style.

 

[carnut63]

[USMCR79]

Great job - is the Expert Pistol Ribbon the Coast Guard version?

 

Bill

[carnut63]

No the stripes are a green color. They look white in the pic though.