Scrappy Johnson served his country as a pilot in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He won the 1958 Collier Trophy for breaking the world altitude record in the F-104A at 91,246 ft. In a career that spanned over 30 years, Johnson has flown over 7,000 hours in 15 different fighter planes.

In 1967, he was a founder of the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association, building a philanthropy that provides scholarships to the dependents of American service personnel missing or killed in action - including those lost at the Pentagon and the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. To date, the "Red River Rats" have awarded over $1.4 million.

Col. Johnson was presented by acclaimed SR-71 Blackbird test pilot Bob Gilliland, who has logged more experimental supersonic flight test time above Mach 2 and Mach 3 than any other pilot. Col. Johnson accepted his medallion in person.

Born in Knoxville, Tenn., Scrappy Johnson was reared and educated in Louisville, Ky., where he got his nickname after he "lit into" another youngster. He attended the University of Louisville and completed his education in the U.S. Air Force. He earned 2 Silver Stars, 18 Air Medals and 7 Distinguished Flying Crosses. He and his wife Elena reside in West Palm Beach, Fla.