A corporal in the Army Corps of Engineers, Johnny Ladd first met Alan Scott in 1936 when they were tasked with building a containment unit for the mysterious Crimson Flame. The young men grew close over the course of the project and soon fell in love.
Their secret relationship developed quickly despite what the risk of exposure would mean, and while aboard the ship sailing in search of the Crimson Flame, Johnny gave Alan a ring and suggested going off the radar together once their mission was complete.