Julian Elliot Johansen is from Charleston, S.C. Since his father was a Coast Guard officer, he spent his youth in various locations. during change of stations, he attended New Hanover High School, Wilmington, N.C., graduated from Fremont High School, Oakland, Calif., in 1939, and then attended Drew Preparatory School at San Francisco.
Appointed a Cadet on July 21, 1941, he was graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, Conn., and commissioned an Ensign on June 7, 1944, during World War II.
During his first year of duty as Gunnery Officer on board the patrol frigate USS Ogden (PF-39) in the Philippine campaign, that vessel was credited with shooting down five enemy aircraft. From August 1945 to April 1946, he served on board the tanker USS Calamus (AOG-25) in the Okinawa and Japanese Island campaign areas during which he advanced from Communications Officer to Executive Officer and then to Commanding Officer of that vessel. There followed a brief stint as First Lieutenant on board the patrol frigate USS Bangor (PF-16) on weather patrol in the Pacific until September 1946, when he became Executive Officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Pandora operating out of Miami, Fla.
In May 1947, he was assigned as flight student and after training at the Naval Air Stations at Corpus Christi, Texas, Pensacola and Jacksonville, Fla., he was designated Coast Guard Aviator no. 212 on July 28, 1948.
He served his first tour of duty as Aviator at the Coast Guard Air Station, San Diego, Calif., performing various duties as well as piloting aircraft on search and rescue missions. From August 1951 to July 1953, he was stationed at the Coast Guard Air Detachment at Argentia, Nfld., which supplied aircraft for the International Ice Patrol. While there his duties included that of Operations Officer as well as Executive Officer.
In July 1953, he was assigned to the Coast Guard Air Station, Miami, Fla., where he served as Operations Officer, Communications Officer, and Flight Training Officer in addition to his flight missions. Three years later, in July 1956, he became Executive Officer of the Coast Guard Air Detachment at Sangley Point, R.P., and Deputy Commander of the Philippine Section.
After returning to the States in June 1958, he was assigned to the Aviation Division at Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington, D.C., first as Chief, Personnel and Training Section for a brief period and then as Chief Plans and Logistics Branch as well as Pilot for VIPs. That tour of duty lasted four years.
In August 1962, he was assigned first as Executive Officer and then as Commanding Officer at the Coast Guard Air Station, San Juan, P.R. While there he was awarded the Coast Guard Commendation Medal for piloting an HU-16E "Albatross" amphibious plane on the afternoon of October 30, 1963, to evacuate a seriously ill crew member from the British vessel Cerinthus 300 miles northeast of San Juan.
From July 1965 to July 1968, h commanded the Coast Guard Air Station, Port Angeles, Wash., and served also as Group Commander. In what was termed the longest rescue off the northern Pacific coast performed from that station the then CDR Johansen, on August 11, 1966, piloted an "Albatross" plane to locate the ship CAPT John L., 233 miles off Astoria, in which a seaman Spiros Stellios, 33, suffered a skull fracture when he fell into the engine room. A helicopter from the Coast Guard Air Station was summoned to hoist the injured man from the ship. CDR Johansen then escorted the helicopter to a shoreside hospital. During that tour of duty, he also was active in piloting aircraft on observation patrols covering the activities of the Russian fishing fleet operating off the North Pacific Coast. For his services while commanding Port Angeles Air Station, he was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Coast Guard Commendation Medal.
In July 1968, the then CAPT Johansen returned to the Coast Guard Air Station at San Diego, this time as Commanding Officer with additional duties of Group Commander and Captain of the Port of San Diego.
In August 1970, he returned for a second tour of duty at Coast Guard Headquarters in the post of Chief of the Coast Guard Auxiliary Division, and as Director of the national activities of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, a civilian component of the Coast Guard dedicated to promoting safe pleasure boating. Also, from December 1970 to June 1971 he served concurrently as the Deputy Chief of the Office of Boating Safety. In February 1971, he was awarded a Second Gold Star in lieu of a third Coast Guard Commendation Medal for his performance of duty in the Boating Safety Division.
In June 1972, he became Deputy Chief, Office of Operations at Headquarters. By nomination of the President on January 22, 1973, and approval of the Senate, he was appointed permanent Rear Admiral to rank from July 1, 1973. At that time he assumed the flag ranking post of Chief, Office of Reserve, which he held for two year. For that tour of duty, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.
In June 1975, Rear Admiral Johnsen assumed the post of Commander, 5th Coast Guard District, Portsmouth, Va.
In addition to the Meritorious Service Medal (June 1975), and his three Coast Guard Commendation Medal Awards, RADM Johansen has the following World War II campaign medals and ribbons: American Defense Service; American Area; Asiatic-Pacific Area (with 1 combat star); Philippine Liberation (with 1 star); World War II Victory; Japanese-Occupation Medal. He also has the Expert Rifle Medal - Expeditionary.
Following is a resume of his appointments in rank: Ensign, June 7, 1944; Lieutenant (jg), November 15, 1946; Lieutenant, July 1, 1950; Lt. Commander, July 1, 1955; Commander, January 1, 1962; Captain, November 4, 1966; Rear Admiral, July 1, 1973.
RADM Johansen's wife is the former Hazel Elizabeth R. of Palm Beach, Fla., a graduate of Wesleyan Conservatory, Macon Ga. They have three children: Bruce E., Linda C. - both of whom are graduates of the University of Washington - and Andrew R.
RADM Johansen is the son of the late Andrew Johansen who served as an officer in the Coast Guard, and Mrs. Ruth L. Johansen. His brother Eivind H. Johansen is a Brigadier General, in the U.S. Army.
Additional notes:
- As a cadet at the Academy, he was captain of the Soccer Team.
- While stationed at Port Angeles, he was a member of the Rotary Club. While commanding the Air Station at San Diego, he joined the Kiwanis.