Retired Maj. Gen. George Johnson, '38, learned lessons as a member of the University of North Georgia's (UNG) Corps of Cadets that propelled him to a 35-year military career.
Johnson served in the Army Air Corps during World War II and participated in seven major campaigns as a pilot and leader in C-47 squadrons. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and two air medals. Johnson also participated in the evacuation of Nazi concentration camps.
Now 102 years old, Johnson is the school's oldest known alumnus.
He said he realized at UNG attention to detail would go a long way.
"It was instilled in me to do the right thing at the right time and always be on time," Johnson said. "We never would have dreamed of being tardy."
He explained how the mindset of arriving early guided his approach through his days as a general. It wasn't simply about following a rule. Arriving early to events allowed him to form deeper relationships with his fellow airmen through the extra time they spent together.
Johnson's final military role was as the chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group at the U.S. Embassy in Rome, Italy.
"Sometimes people forget the leader is supposed to set the example," Johnson said. "It's a question of attitude, being friendly, and not being demanding but gaining respect by setting the example."
When he first commissioned from UNG in 1938, it was in the Army Air Corps. The unit became Air Force in 1947. Later in his career, Johnson graduated from the Air War College. Johnson received the UNG Alumni Association Hall of Fame Award in 1974.
Looking back on his days at UNG, he can't help but smile.
"It was one of the highlights of my life," Johnson said.
