[Annotator’s Note: Birds can be heard chirping in the background throughout this clip.] Willard Johnson was born in January 1929 in Seattle, Washington with one younger brother named Larry. His father worked for Sears selling appliances, but lost his job during the Great Depression [Annotator's Note: The Great Depression was a global economic depression that lasted from 1929 through 1939 in the United States] and fixed machines for neighbors to make money. As a child, Johnson was not aware of the hardships his parents and neighbors went through during the Depression. He just remembered having fun. His mother worked for the Department of the Navy during World War 2. Johnson was only 12 years old when Pearl Harbor [Annotator's Note: The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on 7 December 1941] was attacked. He was at home listening to the radio when the news of the attack came on. He did not know where Pearl Harbor was located, but he was angry, nonetheless. His uncle immediately joined the service and the environment in Seattle was tense, but no one was scared. He participated in scrap drives and rationing until 1945. During school, he drew pictures and made models of planes to help differentiate between enemy and allied planes. Johnson was drawn to the Navy because his uncle served in the Navy. He would take Johnson and his brother to see the Nay ships. Johnson continued school and graduated from high school in 1947. He attended the University of Washington [Annotator’s Note: in Seattle, Washington] and joined the NROTC [Annotator’s Note: Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program]. He went to college with many World War 2 veterans and learned about their experience. He graduated from college in 1950. He got married the very next day and went on a honeymoon. He then reported to San Francisco [Annotator’s Note: San Francisco, California] to meet his destroyer. Not long after he arrived in San Diego [Annotator’s Note: San Diego, California], the Korean War [Annotator's Note: Korean War, 25 June 1950 to 27 July 1953] broke out. He was assigned to the USS Henry Tucker (DD-875) as the CIC [Annotator’s Note: Combat Information Center] Officer. He qualified for officer of the deck. They stopped in Hawaii and Guam [Annotator's Note: Guam, Marianas Islands] before heading to Korea. His ship was attached to Task Force 77 with the Seventh Fleet and participated in the Korean War for one year.

[Annotator’s Note: Birds can be heard chirping in the background throughout this clip.] Willard Johnson was assigned to the USS Henry Tucker (DD-875) as the CIC [Annotator’s Note: Combat Information Center] Officer. His ship was attached to Task Force 77 with the Seventh Fleet and participated in the Korean War for one year. Most of the leaders were veterans from World War 2 and a lot of the reserves came back to fight. Johnson did not agree entirely with America going into the Korean War. One of the destroyers in his convoy was destroyed by a Russian mine. He was the officer of the deck at the time and saw the event from a distance. He returned to the United States twice for schooling. Once for air control, and then another time for the Underwater Demolition Team. He was promoted to Captain as he continued his service after the Korean War [Annotator's Note: Korean War, 25 June 1950 to 27 July 1953]. After the Korean War, he was assigned to shore duty at Pearl Harbor [Annotator’s Note: Pearl Harbor, Hawaii] for three years. Although he enjoyed his duty and spending time with his family, he loved being on the ship because it made him feel like a sailor.

[Annotator’s Note: Outside noises can be heard throughout this clip.] Willard Johnson was a Captain in the Navy and stationed at Pearl Harbor [Annotator’s Note: Pearl Harbor, Hawaii] for a three-year shore duty. He went to submarine and navigation training, traveling across the country attending courses and gaining practical knowledge. He was then stationed in California and assigned to a new ship. Throughout his schooling he had been exposed to computer technology in navigation and nuclear defense. His Naval career was in submarines and included USS Abraham Lincoln (SSBN-602) as the executive officer, and was captain of the USS George C. Marshall (SSBN-654). Other duties included working as an assistant to the Secretary of Defense, Atomic Weapons Division, and Squad Five Atomic Subs Commander. He retired from the Navy in 1976 as a Captain and worked as a consultant for several government agencies in Geothermal Engineering. Willard retired from civilian work around 1986. His most memorable experience was when there was an explosion on a submarine because it was so stressful. He also recalled the first time he got shot at during the Korean War. He believes it is a terrible mistake to allow women on submarines, and it will be something the Navy will regret.