Evening star., 1925-09-11

Ohio, in March, 1911. In August of
that year, when the pioneer officers In
naval aviation were assembled into
the first naval aviation detachment,
he was senior officer in the group.
In the Fall and Winter of 1911 he
co-operated with his cousin, e. L.
Rodgers in making the first cross
continent fight in this country. With
other pioneer aviators of the Navy he
established the first naval aviation
station at San Diego in January, 1919,
and his experiments with seaplane
floats. there are credited with having
done much toward placing aviation
in the Navy at sea with the fleet.
Entered Regular Service.
He began a tour of regular Navy
duty in August, 1912, but returned
to the aviation branch in July. 1922,
taking command of the naval air sta
ton at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He took
command of the aircraft tender
Wright, with the aircraft squadrons
of the scouting fleet, after completion
of the joint Army and Navy maneu-
vers around Hawaii last Spring. II
was while on that duty that he was
selected to command the Hawaiian
fight.
Although the tour of duty of Rear
Admiral William A. Moffett, chief or
the Bureau OF Aeronautics, Is four
years, the term of his assistant is de-
scribed as short duty" of about two
years duration. Capt. Johnson has
been at his post beyond the allotted
time pending the selection of an Of
ficer capable of handling the aviation
problems. He also had requested
transfer to sea duty. Before coming
to the Bureau of Aeronautics Capt:
johnson was commanding officer or
the aircraft squadrons, scouting feet.
During the aircraft investigation he
appeared in his own behalf to answer
charges made by Brig. Gen. William
Mitchell in connection with the battle
ship bombing. Capt. Johnson was in
charge of the naval end Of the bomb
ing tests. He challenged many Of the
published statements Of Gen. Mitchell
on the subject, and also went into the
general problem Of aviation in the
Navy.
Bureau Celebrates Recovery.
The department and the Bureau of
Aeronautics spent the greater part
of the morning celebrating the re-
covery of the plane that had been
chief of naval operations, dispatched
the following message of congratu-
lations to commanders Of the unit
which were engaged in the search
for the lost plane:
Department highly gratified over
energetic, thorough and persistent
search which resulted in rescue ot
PN-9. No. l. by the R-4. Warm con-
gratulations to Comdr. Rodgers and
his crew and to all personnel engaged
in search"
The emotions of the Navy on learn
ing OF the rescue were described by
Secretary Wilbur as follows:
I'VE are overjoyed that the gal
liant officers and crew have been
saved. not only from the personal
standpoint which appeals to all OF us
in the department who are acquaint-
ed with Comdr. Rodgers and his crew,
but also because they will be able
to make a report which will be Of
great value to the service.
I'VE feel that 1t is too early to say
much of the lessons to be learned
from the flight, but it is obvious that
the metal boat had staying qualities
even beyond the anticipation of those
interested in its development.
Praises Rodgers Work.
"The fact that the flying boat was
acrut nearly ~ Gays emphasize tne
Importance OF the selection Of Comdr.
Rodgers, who is a splendid navigator
and an excellent seaman"
The National Aeronautic Association
today took steps to determine the
exact landing place Of the PN-9 with
the view of recommending to the Fed
Grafton Aeronautique Internationale,
the world governing body for aircraft
records, that the fight be recorded
as the longest nonstop seaplane
journey. If the ship had completed
its voyage. c. F. Schory, secretary of
the contest committee said today.
there would have been no doubt about
the record. The rules and regula-