The Professor-Actor Russell Johnson RIP

[capa]

One of my favorite tv characters was the Professor on Gilligan's Island. It was announced today that actor Russell Johnson, a WWII veteran, passed away today.

 

From the web:

"After high school, in the midst of World War II, Johnson joined the United States Army Air Forces as an aviation cadet and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. He flew 44 combat missions as a bombardier in B-25 bombers. While flying as a navigator in a B-25 with the 100th Bombardment Squadron, 42nd Bombardment Group, 13th Air Force, his plane and two other B-25s were shot down in the Philippines in March 1945 during a low level bombing and strafing run against Japanese targets. The planes were hit by intense flak and had to ditch in the waters off the port of Zamboanga. During the ditching, he broke both his ankles and the radioman next to him was killed. Johnson earned a Purple Heart for this mission. He was also awarded the Air Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three service stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one service star, and the World War II Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged with the rank of first lieutenant on November 22, 1945. He then joined the Army Reserve and used the GI Bill to fund his acting studies at the Actors Lab in Hollywood. At acting school he met actress Kay Levey, and they married on July 23, 1949."

 

RIP Sir!

 

[Thor996]

I did not know this- RIP

[David D]

Let him rest in peace.

 

-Dave

[Terry K.]

His final muster! R.I.P.

[Garandomatic]

Holy smoke...

[jgawne]

any man that could build a coconut radio is OK in my book!

[aerialbridge]

Heard him interviewed on the radio about 20 years ago in LA. A sincere, down to earth guy with a good sense of humor. RIP, Mr. Johnson.

[T308]

On 1/16/2014 at 1:25 PM, capa said:

One of my favorite tv characters was the Professor on Gilligan's Island. It was announced today that actor Russell Johnson, a WWII veteran, passed away today.

 

From the web:

"After high school, in the midst of World War II, Johnson joined the United States Army Air Forces as an aviation cadet and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. He flew 44 combat missions as a bombardier in B-25 bombers. While flying as a navigator in a B-25 with the 100th Bombardment Squadron, 42nd Bombardment Group, 13th Air Force, his plane and two other B-25s were shot down in the Philippines in March 1945 during a low level bombing and strafing run against Japanese targets. The planes were hit by intense flak and had to ditch in the waters off the port of Zamboanga. During the ditching, he broke both his ankles and the radioman next to him was killed. Johnson earned a Purple Heart for this mission. He was also awarded the Air Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three service stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one service star, and the World War II Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged with the rank of first lieutenant on November 22, 1945. He then joined the Army Reserve and used the GI Bill to fund his acting studies at the Actors Lab in Hollywood. At acting school he met actress Kay Levey, and they married on July 23, 1949."

 

RIP Sir!

 

He was with the 42nd Bomb Group, but was with the 75th Bombardment Squadron.  The below is from the 42nd Bomb Group History.  Johnson was aboard Clampit's aircraft.

[mikie]

Ive been a Gilligan’s Island fan since its original run on tv. So it was an absolute pleasure of meeting Russell Johnson at a convention a good 20+ years ago. I did not know he would be attending until I walked in the door. He was awesome! An absolute hoot. There wasn’t a lot of traffic by his table, so we got to spend quite a while talking with him. A nearby dealer was playing Gilligan videos and Russell was giving us a running commentary on what was happening behind the scenes.  I’ve been to a fair amount of conventions over the years and have met my share of favorite actors etc, but he by far took the coconut cake of all of them. 
mikie