"The Professor"
 

Russell Johnson was in fact a USAAF bombardier in WWII. Exact details are hard to come by - like most of his generation, he didn't talk much about his service - but he was shot down in a B-24 and earned, it seems, one or more Air Medals, a Purple Heart, and possibly a Bronze Star. You are fondly remembered, Lieutenant. Rest in peace.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/17/ar...ref=television

RIP...a real man's man. Interesting you posted of his passing as I was talking to friends just last week about Gilligan's Island (and how my day and a half trip turned into a 6 day, with me referring to it as a Gilligan's Island trip.) We talked about who in the cast was still alive........looks like Mary Ann and Ginger are the last two.

No reflection on Mr. Johnson, but I'm increasingly annoyed at the press using the phrase, " winning a Purple Heart". You don't win a PH. Also the 42nd Bomb Group used B-25s not B-24s.

Another of the greatest generation gone.

Yeah, I saw both aircraft in various write-ups - and picked the bigger one. Thanks.

I saw a photo that I like of him and some members of his crew in front of their airplane flipping the bird and smiling ear to ear, it's sad we lost another WW2 vet

Great picture:

Russell Johnson, Professor on Gilligan's Island, and WWII Hero Passes at 89 | Guardian Of Valor

There's a "Gilligan's Island" marathon now showing on TVLand.....

Oops, that's Monday at 9pm, EST, tonight was just a few episodes, including the original.

He lived in my hometown. Always had time to stop and talk with you. Great guy.