DAVID, MACK (LYRICS BY) WITH MUSIC BY VEE LAWNHURST — Johnny Zero

New York: Santly-Joy, Inc, 1943. 1st Edition; 1st Printing. Sheet Music. This sheet music is in Very Good+ condition and was issued without a dust jacket. The spine ends and corners of the covers have some light bumping and rubbing. The inner pages are clean and bright. "The kids all called him Johnny Zero; In school they always used to say, "Johnny got a zero, Johnny got a zero, Johnny got a zero today." The kids all laughted at Johnny Zero And they would tease him when they'd play, "Johnny got a zero, Johnny got a zero, Johnny got a zero today." "" "Foley enlisted in November 1941. [2] After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he was assigned to a non-combat role with the 22nd Bomb Group stationed in Australia. His diligent cleaning of the machine guns of a B-26 Marauder caught the attention of the bomber's pilot, Lieutenant Walter Krell. [3] As the top turret gunner was injured, Foley became his replacement, despite having no aerial-gunnery training. [1][2]After a quick introduction to the equipment and procedures and one practice mission, Foley found himself on his first combat mission two days later, a raid against shipping near Rabaul on May 24, 1942. [3] He shot down an A6M Zero, [2] even though he had not even been taught how to use the gunsight. [3] Two weeks later, he was credited with two more over Lae. [2] International News Service war correspondent Pat Robinson wrote an article about him and dubbed him "Johnny Zero". "The song "Johnny Got a Zero" was released as sheet music in 1943, lyrics by Mack David and music by Vee Lawnhurst, and topped out at #4 on the Variety list for the week of April 28. An a cappella rendition by the Song Spinners, "Johnny Zero", stayed on Billboard magazine's charts from June to August, peaking at #7. In the song, Johnny does poorly in school, with the other children mocking him with "Johnny got a zero" every time he fails a test. However, when he grows up and becomes a fighter pilot, the words take on an entirely different meaning.". Very Good+ .