Richard E. Johnson

Richard E. Johnson, from Yonkers, New York, served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1959. He served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVA-11) as a yeoman second class (YN2) from 1955 to 1959. Johnson was one of relatively few Black crew members on board.

Johnson initially served aboard the escort carrier USS Siboney (CVE-112) and the Midway class aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43), before being assigned to shore duty in Boston. He then requested sea duty and was stationed aboard Intrepid, where he worked in the OA Division as a yeoman third class. He later moved to the Personnel Office, after he had passed the test to become a yeoman second class. Then, with less than one year remaining in his enlistment, Johnson was transferred to Washington D.C., where he ended his naval service.

After leaving the Navy, Johnson returned to New York and worked in the recording industry for a record plating company. He also worked in mental health services. The Museum interviewed Johnson for the oral history collection (OHP.042).