RAF’s Dambusters ace Johnson, 96, recognised at last
BRITAIN’S last surviving Dambuster has been finally recognised with an MBE.
George “Johnny” Johnson, 96, said he was “honoured” by the recognition, which he accepted on behalf of the whole Royal Air Force 617 squadron.
Thousands of people had signed a petition calling for the Second World War hero to be knighted. But Mr Johnson said the MBE was “as much honour as I could really expect”.
He had already received the Distinguished Flying Medal for his efforts in the 1943 raids on the Ruhr and Eder dams in Germany.
Mr Johnson, who lives in Bristol, said he was “very grateful to all those people that signed the petitions and made it possible”.
He added: “I think the MBE is as much honour as I could really expect and I thought, if a knighthood comes up, I’m going to have difficulty not only in accepting it but pointing out to all and sundry that it’s not me.
“I’m the lucky one. I’m still alive. I’m representing the squadron and it is the squadron that is being honoured with this, not me. In fact, I got to the stage where I felt that I would have to ask – probably the Queen, if necessary – if I might be permitted to dedicate it to the memory of the 59,000 Bomber Command personnel that gave their lives in World War Two, and have got little or no respect for that.”
In May, 1943, 133 Allied aircrew carried out the raid in 19 Lancaster bombers, using Barnes Wallis’s specially adapted bouncing bombs.
TV presenter Carol Vorderman, 56, who launched a petition to get Mr Johnson a knighthood, said: “I’m thrilled that wonderful Johnny Johnson has been recognised with an MBE. If Johnny is happy, then I’m happy too. He is a remarkable man and friend.
“The respect we have for him and for his colleagues in Bomber Command who gave their lives without question for the freedoms we have since enjoyed, that respect knows no bounds. Hundreds of thousands of us signed a petition so that Johnny could be recognised in this Honours List.
“It seems our voices were heard.”