Russell Johnson, "Professor, Gilligan's Island", AAF questio

[SHAEF1944]

Several websites list a little info on Russell Johnson, stating he flew 44 missions, and was forced down due to enemy action, March 1945 on Zamboanga, Philippine Islands. Nearly all say he flew in B-24's, but a couple say B-25's. Pretty sure it was B-24's, but does anybody have any links or info as to which Group and/or squadron he was assigned to ?

AAF history shows 42nd BG ( B-25's ) flying missions against Zamboanga March 1-7, 1945, and the 494th BG ( B-24's ) flying missions against same March 6-9, 1945.

A page from the 494th BG site lists a Russell N. Johnson assigned to the 866th BS, but " The Professor' " Russell Johnson's middle initial is " D ".

Anybody have anything ?

I should add .... I find no MACR for either the 494th or the 42nd Groups from March 1 to March 9, 1945

[Jack Cook]

Russell Johnson was a B-25J straffed navigator in the 100th BS 42nd BG 13th AF. His 25 along with 2 others were shot down by flak and the radioman next to him was killed and he was wounded. The 3 crews were rescued by a OA-10 flown by 1Lt Frank Rauschkiolb (sp) of Oregon who rec'v the DSC in what is regarded has one of the great combat rescues in the history of the AF. The PBY in the Air Force Museum is painted has Rauschkolb's. Johnson lives up in WA and I invited him to come to Arlington and go for a ride in our 42nd BG marked B-25J but he declined due to his busy schedule. Johnson rec'v the PH, 3 AMs, DUC, 3 BSS's, the Philippine Liberation Medal and PUC. The actual date was I believe in Jan 1945.

[SHAEF1944]

Many thanks, Jack !

[The Inspector]

We've had a couple B-25 vets get under and ready to climb into 'GRUMPY' and stop, become almost rigid, and back away saying things like 'too many nightmares in there' you don't dare intrude, but you quietly attempt to understand and give them some open space.

[Django]

Very interesting. I didn't know that about the "professor".

[SHAEF1944]

Following up on Jack's info, I did some searching, and found the story of the rescue .... see link below, which shows " 2ndLt R. D. Johnson " as a member of Crew # 1. Page also has a link to a pic of the OA-10 and its crew, and a link to another account of the rescue. Thanks again Jack, now we know .... THE REST OF THE STORY.

http://www.pbyrescue.com/Rescues/04mar45.htm

[ZeamerB17]

Following up on Jack's info, I did some searching, and found the story of the rescue .... see link below, which shows " 2ndLt R. D. Johnson " as a member of Crew # 1. Page also has a link to a pic of the OA-10 and its crew, and a link to another account of the rescue. Thanks again Jack, now we know .... THE REST OF THE STORY.

Shades of Nathan Gordon's MOH rescue mission.

[Jack Cook]

Rauschkolb was recomended for the MOH but rec'v the DSC.
He was a cool guy and live about 30 miles up the road from me.
Perhaps his greatest honor was the PBY painted in his marking at the AFM.

[Django]

Can you post a pic of the PBY? I tried googling it, but nothing. And at the NMUSAF, all I could find was a PBY called SNAFU SNATCHER.

[Steve Nelson]

I think the "Snafu Snatcher" is the aircraft being discussed. The website linked by SHAEF1944 refers to it as "Playmate Four Two," but I believe that's just the call sign, not the actual name on the aircraft. However, the website lists the plane as 44-33885, while the NMUSAF aircraft displays the number 44-33879 (it's only masquerading as an OA-10..it's actually PBY-5A BuNo 46595.).

SN

[SHAEF1944]

Crew Members of the OA-10 with plane in background





Four of six rescued crew members of the 3rd B-25 in the report with the OA-10 behind them.

[mustangdriver]

44-33885 was lost at sea shortly after the mission. 44-33879 was in the asme unit. Could that be his replacement aircraft? I love that PBY in the NMUSAF.

[mustangdriver]

According to the web site there was more than one PBY painted with the Snafu Snatchers Nose art as it was the unit name. I believe Jack is correct that the aircraft in the NMUSAF is painted for the gentlemen above.

[Jack Cook]

2Lt Johnson standing far left

Last edited by Jack Cook on Sat Jan 18, 2014 5:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Chris Brame]

2Lt Johnson standing 2nd from right

...showing Gilligan what he really thinks of him?