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Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient Clarence L. Johnson
CLARENCE L. JOHNSON
Awarded by
President Lyndon B. Johnson
September 14, 1964
Aeronautical engineer, his genius for conceiving unique airframes and his technical management skills contribute mightily to the Nation's security by creating aircraft of daring design with unmatched rapidity and effectiveness.
Clarence L. 'Kelly' Johnson
(1910-1990)
Prominent American aircraft designer. As the head of the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation’s famous “Skunk Works” design center, Johnson led the effort to build the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft in the 1950s. He also worked on the F-80 Shooting Star - the first American jet aircraft - and the SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance plane that still holds speed records. During World War II he was responsible for the design of the P-38 Lightning twin-tailed fighter. Johnson worked for Lockheed from 1933 until his retirement as senior vice president in 1975.
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Medal History
