Frank Johnson Interview (page: 6 / 9) Presidential Medal of Freedom	Print Interview

Was there a particular person in the law that inspired you as a young person?

Frank Johnson: Other than my father? Yes. I had a lawyer that had been a state circuit judge up at Jasper, Alabama, by the name of James Curtis. He wasn't too much of a trial lawyer. He didn't like the courtroom too much, but he was a great lawyer. I agreed to practice with him when I first started in law school. I got out of law school right before I left to go to World War II, and he paid rent on chambers for me that were adjoining his chambers for three years until I returned. He was a great, great lawyer. We worked on Saturdays, locked the door to the office, did our briefing. He knew the law well enough to say, "Frank, this issue was discussed in such and such a case. Get that book, 342 Alabama Reports." Just great. He was in his late 70s then, but his mind worked beautifully. We named our son for him, James Curtis Johnson.

What made him a great lawyer?

Frank Johnson: Dedication. Studying. Integrity. Those are three things that are basic requirements. It takes a lot of studying. A lawyer that doesn't study loses cases. He embarrasses himself. He undermines the profession.

Were you hard on lawyers who showed up unprepared in your courtroom?

Frank Johnson: They say that! I was fair with them, because of their clients. If I was just dealing with the lawyer, I would have ejected them from the courtroom. But their clients selected them, and they are entitled to have a lawyer represent them. But as long as he comes to court, he has certain standards he is required to meet. I required that.

What do you think Mr. Curtis saw in you?

Frank Johnson: Dedication. I was willing to work, willing to study. After I was there two or three years, I tried all the cases in the courtroom. He used to sit at the table with me. He did not make oral arguments. He didn't question witnesses. He was there to help me with strategy. Once, it was a big case, jury trial. When I had completed the final closing argument in the case, he whispered to me, "Frank, that's the best argument I ever heard in my life." He was 80 years old. Just great. Inspires you. One of the nicest things that I've ever had said to me. He was a good trainer. He was someone who caused you to do the best you can, and try to meet the standards that he stood for.

Were there any particular books that inspired you as a young person?

Frank Johnson: I can't remember any specific book. I read a lot of books. If I had any inspiration, it was from people, not from books.

What about teachers along the way?

Frank Johnson: I had some great teachers. I had some bad teachers. Everyone does, I guess if they go through the public school system. There was one we called an old maid -- she was about 65 -- named Ada Drake. She was tough, she was hard, but she was fair. She inspired me. My father sent me off to the military school after I got to be a little maverick when I was in about the tenth grade so I could get a little discipline. I had some great professors down there.

What did Miss Drake teach?

Frank Johnson: Mathematics. I was great at mathematics. Very poor at algebra. Algebra was goofy, and I still believe that. Because I've never seen anyone use algebra for anything. But I was great in mathematics. Enjoyed it.

Do you think that influenced your sense of order and organization?

Frank Johnson: Maybe, yes. My mother did a lot of teaching at home when we were young. She and my father both were school teachers. That's where they met. I remember learning the multiplication tables. I don't know how old I was, eight or nine. Very easy, very easy. No problem. It was a little harder on nines, but very easy, I enjoyed mathematics, but I despised algebra. Still do.

We've spoken to a lot of athletes who say they were attracted to the idea that if you work hard towards something, you can accomplish something, and it's very concrete in sports.

Frank Johnson: That's true with everything. The result probably is a little more concrete in sports. I might have to wait ten years to realize that this mathematics course I took was good for me. I accomplished something when I did well in it. You realize that when the season is over in sports. But I guess the most important thing about sports is you have to depend on other people and they have to depend on you. So you start working with people and not against them, whether you like them or not. If they are a good football player, or a good basketball player, or good baseball player, you respect them and you depend on them, they depend on you.

We understand that you were involved in the Normandy invasion. Could you tell us about that?

Get the Flash Player to see this video. Frank Johnson: I wasn't in the first or second, or third (wave). I went in two days later. But they weren't 300 yards from the beach. So I was in the Normandy invasion in that sense. I helped get through Saint Lo. After we broke through Saint Lo, we went across France. I was in Patton's Third Army. I was a lieutenant in the infantry. I got shot once in Normandy, stayed in the hospital 11 days, went back still with the bandage on. They left the bullet in there. It's still there. They said, "It will take you three months if we operate and cut it out," said "You can get back in ten days if it stays in." So they filled it full of that stuff that was just out, what did they call it then? Powder? Pat you on the rear and you get on back to your crew.

[ Key to Success ] Courage

Can you still feel that bullet?

Frank Johnson: No. It's between two muscles. I still have a hole. Doesn't bother me.

Were you aware of the historical importance of that invasion when you were a part of it?

Frank Johnson: Of course. Everyone was, I suppose. We went back to Omaha Beach this past summer. It was Mrs. Johnson's first time she had been there. The first time I'd been back. Walked down all the way to the water, across the beach. It's still there. It doesn't look as dramatic this time as it did the last time because there weren't a thousand boats out there. But we enjoyed going back.

Are there still some remnants of the battle there?

Frank Johnson: Yes, a few. Mrs. Johnson wanted to climb up on one of those German bunkers. It may be one of the ones I helped take. I took her picture up there waving an American flag.

You must have felt a great sense of pride to be part of that.

Frank Johnson: After it was over! After it was over.

Was it frightening when you were actually doing it?

Frank Johnson: Sure, you'd be stupid if you are not scared.

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