Second Lieutenant Virgil C. Johnston, Jr., pilot of a P-47 Thunderbolt fighter plane was killed on a dive bombing mission over France on June 10, 1944 during D-Day operations. A memorial service with full military honors was held for Virgil at the Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church in August, 1944 and military honors were also accorded him as a hero of the air war at a special troop review held at Pope Field, Fort Bragg, in December of that year. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Air Medal for "exceptionally meritorious service in aerial flight over enemy occupied continental Europe."
Aircraft Found In France
Johnston's P-47 Thunderbolt
Upon discovery of his aircraft months later, he arrived in Southern Pines, NC under military escort following repatriation from the United States cemetery in France (link above). Graveside service was held at the family plot in Mount Hope Cemetery with Dr. T.E. Davis officiating.
Aircraft Found In France
Johnston's P-47 Thunderbolt
Upon discovery of his aircraft months later, he arrived in Southern Pines, NC under military escort following repatriation from the United States cemetery in France (link above). Graveside service was held at the family plot in Mount Hope Cemetery with Dr. T.E. Davis officiating.
Second Lieutenant Virgil C. Johnston, Jr., pilot of a P-47 Thunderbolt fighter plane was killed on a dive bombing mission over France on June 10, 1944 during D-Day operations. A memorial service with full military honors was held for Virgil at the Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church in August, 1944 and military honors were also accorded him as a hero of the air war at a special troop review held at Pope Field, Fort Bragg, in December of that year. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Air Medal for "exceptionally meritorious service in aerial flight over enemy occupied continental Europe."
Aircraft Found In France
Johnston's P-47 Thunderbolt
Upon discovery of his aircraft months later, he arrived in Southern Pines, NC under military escort following repatriation from the United States cemetery in France (link above). Graveside service was held at the family plot in Mount Hope Cemetery with Dr. T.E. Davis officiating.
Aircraft Found In France
Johnston's P-47 Thunderbolt
Upon discovery of his aircraft months later, he arrived in Southern Pines, NC under military escort following repatriation from the United States cemetery in France (link above). Graveside service was held at the family plot in Mount Hope Cemetery with Dr. T.E. Davis officiating.
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