Russell David Johnson
After high school, in the midst of the Second World War, Johnson joined the United States Army Air Forces as an aviation cadet. He flew 44 combat missions as a bombardier in B-25 Mitchell bombers. During the war, his plane was shot down in the Philippines in March 1945 during a bombing run against Japanese targets. The plane had to crash land on the port of Zamboango. In this mission, he broke both his ankles and earned his Purple Heart. 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 Reserves and used the GI Bill to fund his acting studies.
"The Professor" on Gilligan's Island
