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JeffERY L. Johnson
Contact Information
Email: HeyitzJJ@gmail.com
Tel. (678) 230-6705
Bio
Jeff is a former President of the Atlanta World War II History Round Table. He has served as technical advisor for National Geographic Channel’s World War II television programing and he often works as a freelance videographer.
Jeff is a veteran of the United States Navy, having served on US military bases in Japan during the final years of the Cold War and he has subsequently lived and worked in Japan as a civilian. His interests apply to all theaters of World War II, and his over 30 years' experience with the Japanese people and Japan's culture and history have provided him with unique insight and expertise on Japan's role in World War II and the internal and external forces that led Japan to imperialism and militarism.
Jeff believes the best way to honor the World War II generation is to do more than thank them for their service and celebrate America's victory in World War II. If we are to truly honor the World War II generation we must objectively study the root causes of the war that interrupted their lives; its impacts that shape our world today; to the best of our abilities try to grasp the incomprehensible horror, sacrifice, and human suffering that occurred globally during the greatest conflict in history; and share that history with others. And, most importantly, we must never glorify, glamorize, or celebrate war. Jeff applies those values to his presentation materials.
Presentation: "The Untold Story of the Rise of Imperial Japan"
The Untold Story of the Rise of Imperial Japan explores a series of historical events - almost never discussed in the United States - that occurred over the course of four centuries and catapulted Japan to imperialism and led to Pearl Harbor and the Asian Holocaust.
This thought-provoking presentation is full of rich imagery, sound and video, and keeps the audience sitting on edge as each historical event is revealed like one domino falling into the next, leading to an unavoidable and tragic clash of cultures.
Jeff explains, “I have found that Americans are generally familiar with the reasons for the European War and the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich, but most Americans have a shallow understanding and one-dimensional view of America's World War II Pacific enemy; an understanding that is often limited to ‘Japan attacked Pearl Harbor’. There’s a much deeper story with a few surprises that needs to be heard, and one that people may find equally or even more fascinating than the rise of National Socialism in Europe.”
In the spirit of learning the lessons of war so that future wars may be avoided, Jeff applies an evenhanded method by covering the combined actions of Japan and Western powers, including the United States, that culminated in the Pacific War.
This is Jeff's most popular presentation and is considered to be one of the most unique and educational presentations about what he considers to be the most misunderstood part of World War II: The Pacific War and how that war came to be. Jeff has given this presentation to the Georgia State Board of Education.
Run time: Approx. 1 hr + Q&A, but length can be tailored.
Presentation: "Downfall: The Atomic Bombs and the Planned Invasion of the Japanese Home Islands"
This compelling presentation involves sound, video, and animation to bring to life little-known details about the atomic bombs dropped on Japan and OPERATION DOWNFALL: the planned Allied invasion of the Japanese Home Islands.
Jeff’s visual storytelling weaves the narrative of his friend Bill Montgomery, a US Marine Corps veteran and Iwo Jima survivor who was slated to invade Japan in November 1945, with the narrative of Jeff’s friend Toshio Matsunaga who experienced the US strategic bombing campaign of Japan.
Jeff applies a strong focus on the second atomic bomb mission on Nagasaki, a mission that typically receives less notoriety than the Hiroshima mission but is arguably more fascinating.
Jeff's narrative assumes that Japan will not surrender after the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombs and the presentation then simulates the US invasion of the Japanese Home Islands from the perspective of the Fifth Marine Division.
Run time: Approx. 1 hr + Q&A, but length can be tailored.
Presentation: "The Hiroshima and Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Hypocenters: A Virtual Walking Tour"
In 2023, Jeff spent a month living in Japan where he toured Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and other cities bombed by B-29 raids. He filmed a walking tour of the atomic bomb hypocenters, Japanese peace museums, and World War II air raid shelters.
Using on-location video, rich graphics, animation, and Jeff's narration, this presentation provides something few Americans will have the opportunity to experience: a visually immersive and intimate walking tour of World War II Japan in modern times. Viewers will learn how the Japanese people commemorate the Pacific War and Jeff will discuss lessons we can apply from Japan’s embrace of defeat and its post-war democratically elected government's commitment to never again glorify war or militarism.
Jeff explains, “This walking tour is not a debate about whether the atomic bombs were necessary and justified in bringing the Pacific War to an early end, but is about the horror of war, our common humanity with the Japanese people, and the deaths and suffering of civilians who literally had no say or control over the Empire of Japan's militarist government's suicidal war of aggression. It's an opportunity to virtually bring those undecided or on either side of the atomic bomb debate to Japan so that they can better formulate opinions about America's decision to drop those bombs after having virtually been there."
Warning: some material in the presentation is of a graphic and disturbing nature.
Run time: Approx. 1 hr + Q&A, but length can be tailored.
Technical Requirements
- Projector screen or large TV with sound that can be connected to Jeff's laptop via HDMI port
- Podium
- Microphone or lapel mic for large rooms
- Jeff's laptop must be placed on podium and he will drive the presentation with his clicker
Locations and Travel
Atlanta Metro Area. Honorarium required. Travel outside Atlanta Metro requires reimbursement for travel, meals and lodging.