CDR Whitney "Whit" Johnson US NAVY (ret.), age 92, of Pensacola, went home to his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, June 22, 2022. Whit was born in Hartford, Ct. to the late Carl V. and Mildred Peterson Johnson. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister, Diane and his stepson, Jim Dailor.

Whit and his family resided in Torrington, CT., where he graduated from Torrington High School in 1947. He attended Montana State College, in Bozeman, Mt. from Sept. 1948 – June 1950 and the University of Pennsylvania from Sept. 1950 to June 1952, Majoring in Architectural Design.

College was cut short due to his service in the Korean War. In Sept. 1952, Whit enlisted in the (NAVCAD) Naval Aviation Cadet Program in Pensacola, Fl. In July 1954, he received his "Wings of Gold", designated Naval Aviator and Commissioned Ensign, U.S.N.R.

In Aug., 1954, he reported to VS-30 (Anti-Submarine Squadron), flying the Grumman AF Guardian and later transferring to the S2F Grumman Tracker. In 1958, he received orders to N.A.S Pensacola Pre-Flight as a Water Survivor Instructor. In 1961, orders came to report to VR-24 Detachment, Naples, Italy, to join the C.O.D. (Carrier On Board Delivery.) At this point he joined the TAR Program and was ordered to N.A.S., Glenview, III. Next came Floyd Bennett Field, followed by Naval District Washington and returned to N.A.S. Pensacola CNET (Chief of Naval Education and Training.)

Aircraft flown by Whit were: SNJ Texan, TMB, SNB, AF, S2F, C1A, T-28 and T34. Total accumulated Flight Time, approximately 4000 hours with 385 Carrier Landings, including 79 at night.

Probably his most rewarding assignment was assisting in the Return and Processing of the Prisoners of War from Vietnam in the Spring of 1972 at Bethesda Naval Hospital Washington, D.C.

Whit retired as Commander on 30 June, 1975 in Pensacola, Fl. After retiring, he returned to college and earned a Masters Degree of Science in Counseling and Human Development in Dec. 1982.

In Jan. 1978, Whit met the love of his life, Carol, and they married that November.

The year 1985 marked the beginning of his second career, "Residential Real Estate." This was something he thoroughly enjoyed. Whit & Carol lived their lives together to the fullest, taking many road trips across America, and also touring Europe on several occasions,  taking Cruises, and enjoying life in general. These activities all played an important role in their lives.

Both Whit and Carol were very active members of the Navy Yacht Club Pensacola and participated in many local Regattas. Whit was also a member of ANA- Association of Naval Aviation, Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, the Daedalians, Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce and Perdido Bay United Methodist Church at Innerarity Point. He enjoyed skiing, sailing and swimming.

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Carol Johnson; two stepsons, David Dailor and Kevin Dailor and their families, his older 95 yr. old brother, Carl Victor Johnson, II plus numerous nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. He will be missed by all and remembered by his favorite saying, "It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This!"

A Memorial Service to honor CDR Whitney Johnson's life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, July 14, 2022, at Perdido Bay United Methodist Church, with Rev. Dr. Levi Gardner, officiating. A reception will follow from 11:45 A.M. until 12:30 P.M. at the church.

Following the reception, a committal service will be held at Barrancas National Cemetery at 1:30 P.M. at Shelter B, with full military honors being accorded by the United States Navy.

In lieu of flowers the memorial donations may be made to either of the following causes: Perdido Bay United Methodist Church, 13660 Innerarity Point Rd, Pensacola, Fl., 32507 or Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, PO Box 33104, 1750 Radford Blvd Ste B, Pensacola, FL 32508.