Col. Robert S. Johnson

by R.T. Foster

Colonel Robert S. (Bob) Johnson of Lawton, Oklahoma, was Oklahoma's highest scoring fighter pilot of World War II, downing 28 German aircraft. His heroism and piloting skills ranked with the finest of all the fighter pilots of World War II. The painting depicts Colonel Johnson doing what he did best, shooting down the enemy while flying his Republic P-47D-21, Serial #22-5513, nicknamed "Penrod and Same" after his trusted ground crew.

On May 8, 1944, he scored his final two kills on yet another mission to Berlin and Brunswick. His report on the engagements read as follows: "About 30 Huns were over the bombers, their contrails snaking out of the sky. Smoke was coming from the bomber box and one was going down. I started after the Jerries and then saw a ME109 diving at me. I rolled and fired at it, but missed. Then he squirted at me and missed. I made another turn, and he tried to outrun me, the damned fool. He went down, rolling and turning to evade, and I hit him every half roll. When his wing came off I figured he'd had it."

Bob Johnson's last two victories equaled and then bettered the record of America's highest ranking World War I ace, Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, who had downed 26 German aircraft. The "Brass" ordered him home, effective immediately, for war bond fund raising tours, talks to factory workers and interviews. Bob Johnson was promoted to Major upon his return to America and went on the publicity circuit. We honor Colonel Robert S. (Bob) Johnson as representative of all Oklahomans serving in the Army Air Corps during World War II.

Col. Robert S. Johnson by R. T. Foster was dedicated on March 20, 2000. The commission was managed by the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund, Inc.

The painting is located inside the Oklahoma State Senate conference room 419-C on the fourth floor of the Oklahoma State Capitol and can be viewed daily from 8:30-5:30 when the Senate is not in session.

The Artist

R. T. Foster, winner of Oklahoman's 1987 and 1991 Waterfowl stamp, is known for his acrylic, pencil and watercolor paintings. The wide-ranging subjects of his paintings vary from historical aviation, Civil War battle scenes to North American wildlife and much more.

The versatile self-taught artist began his professional career by doing freelance artwork and is currently employed as a visual information specialist at Tinker Air Force Base. Some of his larger aviation murals are on permanent exhibit at Warner Robins AFB, Wright Patterson Air Logistics Headquarters, the Oklahoma Air and Space Museum, and Tinker AFB. In 1995, he was proud to be selected to design and draw the Arts Festival of Oklahoma poster.

Foster's tribute to President George Bush's Air Group 51, "The Last Full Measure," as well as a B-29 tribute "Night Over Nagoya" are in several aviation museums across the country, including the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, the San Diego Museum and others. Foster served 2-1/2 tours in Vietnam, one with the First Marine Air Wing. He lives in Oklahoma City with his wife and three daughters.