Gainesville in Alachua County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Major General John R Alison
(1912-2011)
Photographed by Tim Fillmon, February 5, 2017
1. Major General John R. Alison Marker
Inscription.
Major General John R Alison. John Richardson "Johnny" Alison was born in Micanopy, Florida, on November 12, 1912. He was a highly decorated flying ace and served in both theaters of World War II. Johnny Alison graduated from Gainesville High School in 1931 and the University of Florida in 1935, with a degree in industrial engineering. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1936. During world war two, Alison served with distinction in the 75th Fighter Group, the successor to the famed AVG "Flying Tigers" in the China-Burma-India Theater. On July 30, 1942, he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for downing the first enemy aircraft at night, with his experimental night interception. He was credited with seven air combat victories. He earned the Silver Star for his gallantry and fighting spirit. He was greatly admired for his flying skills and innovation. He is considered by many to be the father of Air Force Special Operations, having planned and completed numerous air commando missions supporting troops behind enemy lines., Alison served as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Aeronautics (forerunner to the FAA) under President Truman from 1947-1949 and was Chairman of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. He reenlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1950 to fight in Korea. He retired from the United States Air Force Reserve in 1972, attaining the rank of Major General. He retired as vice president of Northrop Corporation in 1994. In 2005 he was enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of Fame. Major General John R. Alison died on June 6, 2011. The commercial terminal constructed at the Gainesville Regional Airport (1979), as well as the airport's new entrance road (2013) are dedicated in his honor.
John Richardson "Johnny" Alison was born in Micanopy, Florida, on November 12, 1912. He was a highly decorated flying ace and served in both theaters of World War II. Johnny Alison graduated from Gainesville High School in 1931 and the University of Florida in 1935, with a degree in industrial engineering. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1936. During WWII, Alison served with distinction in the 75th Fighter Group, the successor to the famed AVG "Flying Tigers" in the China-Burma-India Theater. On July 30, 1942, he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for downing the first enemy aircraft at night, with his experimental night interception. He was credited with seven air combat victories. He earned the Silver Star for his gallantry and fighting spirit. He was greatly admired for his flying skills and innovation. He is considered by many to be the father of Air Force Special Operations, having planned and completed numerous air commando missions supporting troops behind enemy lines.
Alison served as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Aeronautics (forerunner to the FAA) under President Truman from 1947-1949 and was Chairman of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. He reenlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1950 to fight in Korea. He retired from the United States Air Force Reserve in 1972, attaining the rank of Major General.
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He retired as vice president of Northrop Corporation in 1994. In 2005 he was enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of Fame. Major General John R. Alison died on June 6, 2011. The commercial terminal constructed at the Gainesville Regional Airport (1979), as well as the airport's new entrance road (2013) are dedicated in his honor.
Location. 29° 41.248′ N, 82° 17.129′ W. Marker is in Gainesville, Florida, in Alachua County. It can be reached from Waldo Road (State Road 24) 0.3 miles north of Northeast 39th Avenue (Road 222), on the right when traveling north. Marker is located along the west entrance to the airport. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3880 NE 39th Ave, Gainesville FL 32609, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North Florida. It is also in the American South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2017. It was originally submitted on February 16, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 930 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on February 16, 2017, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
