The Professor Won't Be Down For Breakfast

[eldubb440]

Johnson went straight from high school into USAAC air cadet training. He became a bombardier and flew 40+ missions during WWII. He ended up getting shot down on a mission over the Pacific and messed up his legs. Quite a guy.

yes....... I didn't realize he was a war hero till I stumbled across this ealier this evening

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-24 Liberator bombers. While flying as a navigator in a B-24 with the 100th Bombardment Squadron, 42nd Bombardment Group, 13th Air Force, his plane and two other B-24s 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 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.[1] At acting school, he met actress Kay Levey; they married on July 23, 1949

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_Johnson

 

[WileE]

I liked that show too.....may he rest in peace.

Anyone remember Dobie Gillis and Bob played the beatnik as Maynard?

oh, yeah ! The "many loves of Dobie Gillis"... Maynard was not fond of "Work !!"... and I much preferred watching Tuesday Weld than that Zelda girl !

 

[Photon440]

Gee, do you think MacGyver learned anything from watching him make stuff out of nothing?

 

[roadrunnerman]

R.I.P. Mr. Johnson. He also wanted the producer's to get the correct answer for him whenever he would quote a formula on the show to make it more believable.

 

[satman72]

RIP Professor.

Who's left now, just Tina Louise 79 & Dawn Wells 75

 

[paladin06]

Good clean TV. Those days are gone. RIP.

 

[Basket case]

Dawn's one of the nicest and most personable people I know. Poor gal is in a bad state. Johnson and his wife Connie were amongst her best friends so Mary-Ann is in a bad way today.

Please tell Dawn thank you for all the enjoyment that she and the rest of the cast gave me watching the show.
RIP Professor, you'll be missed.

 

[snakeyes]

RIP he was a pretty good actor

 

[Bruzilla]

Be glad to Basket Case.

Another thing that's interesting about Johnson was his marriages. I can't remember the years, but Johnson was married twice. His first marriage lasted for a long time and only ended when she passed away. Then he remarried and wqas married to Connie for I think close to 20 years. That's really unusual for an actor.

- - - Updated - - -

yes....... I didn't realize he was a war hero till I stumbled across this ealier this evening

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-24 Liberator bombers. While flying as a navigator in a B-24 with the 100th Bombardment Squadron, 42nd Bombardment Group, 13th Air Force, his plane and two other B-24s 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 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.[1] At acting school, he met actress Kay Levey; they married on July 23, 1949

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_Johnson

Good info. I had heard years ago that he went from high school into the air cadet program and I always wondered about that. I thought you had to have a degree to get a commission, but apparently during the war there was such a need for pilots, bombardiers, and navigators they made exceptions.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Now for the eternal question; Ginger or Mary Ann?

The answer is obvious.

 

[2059]

Russell was also in two classic sci-fi movies: It Came from Outer Space and This Island Earth (though he was killed off early in this one).

Dave Madden aka Reuben Kincaid on the Partridge Family also died today.

Also "Attack of the Killer Shrews" if I recall...

 

[Basket case]

Mary Ann then, and Mary Ann now.Classy Lady!
Russell did a couple of Twilight Zones. In one he went back in time to try and save Lincoln.

 

[satellite66]

Wow, I wouldn't have even recognized Tina Louise. Dawn Wells looks like herself though.

 

[SteveSS]

At 57 years old, I lived thru Gilligans's Island as a boy. We all thought we were clever by saying Mary Ann was prettier. Only when I was older did I realize 99% of males thought the same thing.


There was also a discussion in college about which Charlie's Angels was the hottest. I picked Farrah.

Take a look at Petticoat Junction also. Lots of curves, you bet. Even more when you get.....
to the Junction!

Good job Professor. you will be missed.

 

[Basket case]

Ginder was used too much when new.....

 

[WileE]

Billy Jo, Bobbie Jo, some other Jo I can't recall, and of course, Uncle Joe. ( he's movin, kinda slow...)

At 57 years old, I lived thru Gilligans's Island as a boy. We all thought we were clever by saying Mary Ann was prettier. Only when I was older did I realize 99% of males thought the same thing.


There was also a discussion in college about which Charlie's Angels was the hottest. I picked Farrah.

Take a look at Petticoat Junction also. Lots of curves, you bet. Even more when you get.....
to the Junction! View attachment 163261

Good job Professor. you will be missed.

 

[Basket case]

Betty Joe,the redhead,Billie Joe the blonde,and Bobbie Jo the brunete