 Further research has revealed more detail . German records confirmed Specht flew a Fw 190 , not a Bf 109 , and that he was a Major at the time , confirming Johnson 's victim was most likely to have been Engel . Johnson 's claim form revealed he had claimed a Bf 109 , not an Fw 190 . The ID card of Johnson 's victim was passed on to a member of the ground crew who spoke German . This individual stated that the rank was given as Lieutenant Colonel . The incorrect identification was most likely a language error and misunderstanding of German ranks . This may have caused the belief that Johnson had killed Specht . Johnson died in October 1976 , and aviation historians were unable to secure his version of events . 
