Dates: 1940-1955
Assistant Secretary of the Army, 1950-1952; Under Secretary of the Army, 1952-1954
The papers of Earl D. Johnson consist of correspondence, reports, newspaper clippings, memoranda, photographs and speeches primarily relating to Johnson’s military career and his work as Assistant Secretary of the Army and Under Secretary of the Army during the Truman and Eisenhower Administrations.
Size: 7.5 linear feet (about 15,000 pages).
Access: Open.
Copyright: Cynthia Johnson has donated to the U.S. government her copyright interest in all writings in this collection. Documents created by U.S. government employees in the course of their official duties are also in the public domain. Copyright interest in other documents presumably belongs to the creators of those documents, or their heirs.
Processed by: Dennis Bilger (1990); Jan Davis, Sharie Simon, Randy Sowell and David Clark (2006).
[ Top of the page | Administrative Information | Biographical Sketch | Collection Description | Series Descriptions | Folder Title List ]
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1905 (December 14) |
Born, Hamilton, Ohio |
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1928 |
Received B.A. from the University of Wisconsin |
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1928-1929 |
Graduate student, instructor and research assistant at the University of Wisconsin |
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1932 |
Graduated as pilot from Air Corps Training Center |
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1933-1941 |
Worked for Loomis, Sayles and Company |
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1942-1946 |
Active duty in the Air Transport Command |
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1946-1950 |
Worked for Loomis, Sayles and Company |
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1950-1952 |
Assistant Secretary of the Army (Research and Materiel) |
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1952-1954 |
Under Secretary of the Army |
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1953-1954 |
Chairman, Panama Canal Company |
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1954-1955 |
President, American Transport Association and Air Cargo Inc. |
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1955-1963 |
Executive, General Dynamics Corporation |
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1963-1964 |
Executive, Delta Airlines |
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1990 (January 11) |
Died, Greenwich, Connecticut |
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The papers of Earl D. Johnson, with the exception of the first series, consist of documents primarily relating to his career as an Assistant Secretary of the Army and Under Secretary of the Army from 1950 to 1954. The collection consists of nine series.
The Subject File consists of correspondence, financial records, handwritten notes, legal documents, memoranda, newspaper clippings and reports related to Johnson’s work as an investment counselor for Loomis, Sayles and Company. The documents relate to Johnson’s work assisting companies and individuals with business opportunities pertaining to household appliances, petroleum, aviation, housing, plastics, insurance, and real estate. The series ends in 1950 when Johnson was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Army.
The Activities File contains correspondence, telegrams, handwritten notes, itineraries, memoranda, newspaper clippings, printed materials and speeches concerning national defense, missiles, day-to-day activities in the Department of the Army, expenditures and appropriations, briefings of new Senators and Army officers, aviation, and trips taken by Johnson.
The Military File consists of correspondence, financial records, handwritten notes, memoranda, newspaper clippings, press releases, printed materials and speeches related to the Korean War, shortages of ammunition, and Army purchases of beef and butter. The series also includes biographies of military officers and government officials, congratulatory letters, and information on the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference.
The Clippings File contains newspaper clippings, press releases and compiled news summaries pertaining to the Korean War, atomic weapons and testing, hydrogen bombs, military equipment, Department of Defense reorganizations, appropriations, budget cuts, the draft, Universal Military Training, NATO, communism, the United Nations, foreign policy, the Soviet Union, China, Formosa, Indo-China, Germany, India and Iran.
The Appointment Books File primarily consists of appointments that Johnson had while Assistant Secretary of the Army. The appointment books contain dates, times, names of individuals, daily arrival and departure times for Johnson, and information pertaining to incoming and outgoing telephone calls. There are two sets of appointment books for the period from 1950-1951. Both sets of appointment books appear to have been kept by V. Lee Brasse, Johnson’s secretary.
The Chronological File contains correspondence, memoranda, newspaper clippings, printed materials and telegrams regarding Johnson’s service as Assistant Secretary and Under Secretary of the Army. The documents primarily relate to the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference, the Korean War, the Army War College, the Panama Canal, requests for deferments, job recommendations and applications, military training, speeches, and Department of the Army policies, procedures and activities. Correspondents include Douglas MacArthur and Matthew Ridgway.
The Audiovisual File consists of photographs and sound recordings primarily related to Johnson’s service in the Air Transport Command and as Assistant Secretary of the Army and Under Secretary of the Army. The photographs document the activities and personnel of the 4th Ferrying Group of the Air Transport Command, including a visit by Secretary of War Henry Stimson. Notable individuals photographed include Eddie Rickenbacker, Dean Rusk, Frank Pace Jr., Rudy Vallee, Harpo Marx, Edgar Bergen, Bing Crosby and Omar Bradley. Most of the photographs are undated and do not have captions. The sound recordings include speeches and interviews by Johnson related to the Korean War, Universal Military Training, Armed Forces Day and global warfare. The original photographs and sound recordings have been transferred to the audiovisual collection and the photographs within the collection are photocopies of the originals.
The Scrapbooks File includes newspapers of the 4th Ferrying Group and 6th Ferrying Group during World War II and clippings regarding Johnson during World War II. The series also includes a scrapbook regarding the John Foster Dulles Mission to Japan in 1951. As Assistant Secretary of the Army, Johnson accompanied Dulles on this trip.
The Printed Materials File contains Congressional hearings related to appropriations, information on Johnson’s visit to Japan as part of the Dulles Mission, and a report on Army organization.
More information on the Department of the Army during the Truman Administration can be found in the papers of Harry S. Truman (Official File 1285-B and President’s Secretary’s Files) and Frank Pace, Jr.
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Container Nos. |
Series |
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1-4 |
SUBJECT FILE, 1945-1950 Correspondence, financial records, handwritten notes, legal document, memoranda, newspaper clippings and reports related to Johnson’s work as an investment counselor for Loomis, Sayles and Company. Arranged alphabetically. |
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5-7 |
ACTIVITIES FILE, 1951-1954 Correspondence, telegrams, handwritten notes, itineraries, memoranda, newspaper clippings, printed materials and speeches concerning Johnson’s work as Assistant Secretary and Under Secretary of the Army. Arranged chronologically. |
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8-11 |
MILITARY FILE, 1942-1954 Correspondence, financial records, handwritten notes, memoranda, newspaper clippings, press releases, printed materials and speeches related to Johnson’s military career. Arranged alphabetically. |
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12-13 |
CLIPPINGS FILE, 1953-1954 Newspaper clippings, press releases and compiled news summaries pertaining to Johnson’s work as the Under Secretary of the Army. Arranged chronologically. |
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14 |
APPOINTMENT BOOKS FILE, 1946-1952 Appointments books concerning Johnson’s appointments and telephone calls while Assistant Secretary and Under Secretary of the Army. Arranged chronologically. |
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15-17 |
CHRONOLOGICAL FILE, 1950-1955 Correspondence, memoranda, newspaper clippings, printed materials and telegrams regarding Johnson’s service as Assistant Secretary and Under Secretary of the Army. Arranged chronologically. |
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17 |
AUDIOVISUAL FILE, 1943-1955 Photographs and sound recordings pertaining to Johnson’s service with the 4th Ferrying Group and as Assistant Secretary and Under Secretary of the Army. Arranged alphabetically. |
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18 |
SCRAPBOOK FILE, 1940-1951 Newspaper clippings, documents, and photographs regarding Johnson’s service in the Army, and as Assistant Secretary of the Army and Under Secretary of the Army. Arranged alphabetically. |
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19 |
PRINTED MATERIALS FILE, 1946-1953 Printed materials related to Johnson’s duties as Assistant Secretary of the Army and Under Secretary of the Army. Arranged alphabetically. |
Box 1
- Appliance Corporation of America [1 of 2, 1946]
- Appliance Corporation of America [2 of 2, 1947-1949]
- Appliance Corporation of America--Appliances
- Appliance Corporation of America--Financial
- B
- Bacon, E.A.
- Barnett, I.W.
- C
- Carr, J.B.
- Civil Aeronautics Board
- D
- Danielson, David
Box 2
- Dunlap, Samuel C. III
- Dunville, Robert
- E
- F
- Farrell, A.D.
- Fesler, George C.V.
- Frye, William C.
- G
- Gardner, Fred V.
- Greenwich Country Day School
- I [empty]
- J
- Johnson, Earl D.
- Johnson—Personal
- Johnson, Robert S.
- Johnson, Robert S.—Financial
- Johnson, William G.
- Jones, Harold W.
Box 3
- K
- Kagan Household Dryer
- Kent, William R.
- L
- Love, Robert M.
- M
- Marcy Village
- Milbrook Club
- Milbrook Owners Association
- Milwaukee Clients
- Moseley, F.S. & Co.
- Moving Data—Milwaukee to Greenwich
- N
- Nowland, Bob E.
- O
- P
- Pabst, Robert E.
- Patterson, T.G.
- Phi Beta Kappa
- Pi Kappa Alpha
- Plastics
Box 4
- Q [empty]
- R
- Reilley, Ewing W.
- Rinehart & Company Incorporated
- Rosen, Louis
- Rushton, Albert A.
- S
- Schools
- T
- Texas Refinery
- U
- Union League Club
- Uptown Club
- University of Wisconsin Alumni Association
- V
- W
- Washington Correspondence—Pace, etc. [1 of 2]
- Washington Correspondence—Pace, etc. [2 of 2]
- Wilson Carbon Company, Incorporated
- X
- Y
- Z [empty]
Box 5
- July 1, 1951—Chrysler Corporation, Newark, Delaware
- August 21-26, 1952—Milwaukee, St. Louis, Pine Bluff, Kansas City
- August 28-September 4, 1952—Alaska
- September 11, 1952—NSIA [National Security Industrial Association] Lunch, Washington, D.C.
- October 1, 1952—NSIA Dinner, New York City
- October 1, 1952—Fort Monmouth, New Jersey
- October 7, 1952—Ogden, Utah
- October 19-20, 1952—Canada
- October 23, 1952—Quartermaster Association, Philadelphia
- October 30, 1952—Chicago
- November 14, 1952—Pamphlet on Production Security
- December 3, 1952—American Ordnance Association, New York City
- December 5, 1952—Statement Before Bonner Committee
- January 12, 1953 and After—Luncheon for New Senators, Republicans and Democrats Briefing
- March 2, 1953—Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services
- March 7, 1953—Aberdeen, R & D Demonstration
- March 12, 1953—Orientation for Newly Assigned Key Personnel, OCSUSA
- March 27-29, 1953—Trip to Fort Eustis with Family
- April 18-20, 1953—NIKE [guided missile] Demonstration—Cancelled
- April 23, 1953—Address Before Graduate School, Department of Agriculture
- April 27, 1953—Statement Before Civil Functions Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives
Box 6
- May 6, 1953—New Jersey (Union Carbon and Carbide Corporation)
- May 8, 1953—Central Division Dinner for Former Key Army Services Personnel, New York City
- May 21, 1953—Annual Meeting, Air Industries Association of America, Williamsburg, VA
- May 28, 1953—Aberdeen Proving Grounds
- June 3-4, 1953—Army Commanders Conference
- June 23-July 12, 1953—Panama, Colombia, Venezuela and Puerto Rico Trip
- July 23, 1953—Earl D. Johnson’s Contribution to Lee Nichol’s Book on Integration (Last Meeting)
- July 23-26, 1953—Department of Defense Conference, Quantico, Virginia
- July 27, 1953—Talk Before American Legion Boys Nation—National Conference, Washington, D.C.
- July 28-August 2, 1953—Alaska Trip—Cancelled
- August 3, 1953—Nebraska State Convention—American Legion
- August 5, 1953—Presentation of Awards, White House
Box 7
- August 21, 1953—7th Annual Airpower Symposium Air Force Association
- September 3 and September 10, 1953—Chiefs of Technical Services Expenditure Controls Discussion; Army Commanders Conference Presentation
- September 9, 1953—Army War College (Faculty and Student Body) at Pentagon
- September 19-29, 1953—Trip to Dauphin, Manitoba
- September 29, 1953—Reception for President Jose A. Remon Cantera of Panama
- September 30, 1953—NSIA [National Security Industrial Association], New York City—Did Not Attend
- October 12 and October 13, 1953—National Defense Transportation Association
- October 29, 1953—Correspondence Regarding TV Sketch on WLW Cincinnati by Mr. Joseph F. McCaffrey
- October 14, 1953—New York Trip
- October-December 1953—Statement for ROTC Journal
- November 3, 1953—Chrysler Tank Plant, Newark, Delaware
- November 13, 1953—Article for Shield & Diamond [magazine of Phi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, completed November 13, 1953]
- November 17-23, 1953—Conference, Extension of Financial Property Accounting to USAREUR
- November 19, 1953—Air Power Symposium, Dallas
- November 24, 1953—Courtesy Flight—American Airlines, DC-7
- November 30-December 1, 1953—Army Commanders Conference, Washington, D.C.
- December 1-2, 1953—Visit to Glenn L. Martin Plant, Aberdeen Chapter, American Ordnance Association—Aberdeen Proving Ground, Princeton, Yale
- December 29, 1953-January 1954—Panama Trip
- Declined or Cancelled
- Undated—Article for U.S. News & World Report
Box 8
- Ammunition
- Ammunition Clippings, February-March 1953 [1 of 2]
- Ammunition Clippings, February-March 1953 [2 of 2]
- Ammunition Clippings, April-August 1953
- Awards
- Beef
- Biographies (Of Interest to Mr. Johnson)
- Burton, Senator Harold H.—Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce
- Butter
Box 9
- Chief Joseph Dam
- Clippings
- Congratulatory Letters to Mr. Johnson (Drafts of Replies—Not Used)
- Congressional Record
- Correspondence
- Crosby, Bing
- Daily News Digests—November 4, 1952-September 30, 1953 [1 of 2]
- Daily News Digests—November 4, 1952-September 30, 1953 [2 of 2]
- Daily News Digests—October 1, 1953-January 25, 1954
Box 10
- Fact Sheets (Newspaper and Radio Complaints)
- JCOC [Joint Civilian Orientation Conference]
- Japan, Visit to
- Johnson, Col.—File
- Johnson, Earl D., Lt. Colonel—Personal
- Model Letters
- Periodical Excerpts (Weekly), October 27, 1952-September 1953 (Discontinued)
- Radio and TV Commentators’ Opinions and Wire Service Digests, November 4, 1952- January 25, 1954 [1 of 2]
- Radio and TV Commentators’ Opinions and Wire Service Digests, November 4, 1952- January 25, 1954 [2 of 2]
Box 11
- Red River Arsenal Clipping File
- Report on Foreign Operations of 4th Ferrying Group
- Reports
- Speech Material [1 of 2]
- Speech Material [2 of 2]
- Stay-Backs, July 1952-December 1952
- Stay-Backs, January 1953-January 1954
- Supply System (Report of Conference on the Simplified Army Supply System)
- Tentative Speaking Engagements, 1954
Box 12
- January 1, 1953 —March 31, 1953
- April 1, 1953—April 30, 1953
- May 1, 1953—May 31, 1953
- June 1, 1953—June 15, 1953
- June 16, 1953—June 30, 1953
- July 1, 1953—July 31, 1953
Box 13
- August 1, 1953—August 31, 1953
- September 1, 1953—September 30, 1953
- October 1, 1953—October 31, 1953
- November 1, 1953—November 30, 1953
- December 1, 1953—January 25, 1954
APPOINTMENT BOOKS FILE, 1946-1952
Box 14
- January 1, 1946—December 31, 1946
- January 1, 1950—December 31, 1950
- June 16, 1950—December 31, 1950
- January 1, 1951—December 31, 1951—Schedule Book
- January 1, 1951—December 31, 1951
- September 25, 1951—April 22, 1952
- April 23, 1952—December 31, 1952
Box 15
- 1950 [May-December]
- 1951 [1 of 4, January-March]
- 1951 [2 of 4, April-May]
- 1951 [3 of 4, June]
- 1951 [4 of 4, July-December]
Box 16
- 1952 [1 of 3, January-March]
- 1952 [2 of 3, April-July]
- 1952 [3 of 3, August-December]
- 1953 [1 of 3, January-April]
- 1953 [2 of 3, May-August]
Box 17
- 1953 [3 of 3, September-December]
- 1954 [January-September]
- 1955 [January-February]
- Undated
- Audio Tapes, Record and Film [cross reference sheet]
- Photographs, 1943
- Photographs, 1944
- Photographs, 1945
- Photographs, 1950
- Photographs, 1951
- Photographs, 1952
- Photographs, 1953
- Photographs, 1954
- Photographs, Undated
Box 18
- Air Proving Ground, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, Joint Orientation Conference, 1950
- Civil Aeronautics Authority, 1940
- “Ferrogram,” Fourth Ferrying Group Newspaper, 1943-1944 [1 of 2]
- “Ferrogram,” Fourth Ferrying Group Newspaper, 1943-1944 [2 of 2]
- “Major Earl D. Johnson,” Scrapbook, 1942-1944 [1 of 2]
- “Major Earl D. Johnson,” Scrapbook, 1942-1944 [2 of 2]
- “Roger,” Sixth Ferrying Group Newspaper, 1944-1945
- Visit of the Dulles Mission to Japan, 1951
PRINTED MATERIALS FILE, 1946-1953
Box 19
- Books [cross reference sheet]
- Executive Journal, U.S. Senate, Second Session, 79th Congress, 1946
- Mutual Security Appropriations for 1953: Hearings Before the Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives, Eighty-Second Congress, Second Session, 1952
- Press References—The Mission to Japan of the Honorable Earl D. Johnson, Assistant Secretary of the Army, 1951
- Report of the Advisory Committee on Army Organization, December 18, 1953
- Supplemental Appropriation Bill, 1953: Hearings Before the Committee on Appropriations, United States Senate, Eighty-Second Congress, Second Session, 1952