Sam Johnson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sam Johnson
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 3rd district
In office May 8, 1991 – January 3, 2019
Preceded by	Steve Bartlett
Succeeded by	Van Taylor
Acting Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee
In office October 29, 2015 – November 5, 2015
Preceded by	Paul Ryan
Succeeded by	Kevin Brady
Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 60th district
In office January 8, 1985 – May 21, 1991
Preceded by	Frank Eikenburg
Succeeded by	Brian McCall
Personal details
Born	Samuel Robert Johnson (1930-10-11)October 11, 1930 San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
Died	May 27, 2020(2020-05-27) (aged 89) Plano, Texas, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Shirley Melton ​ ​ (m. 1950; died 2015)​
Children	3
Education	Southern Methodist University (BBA) George Washington University (MS)
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch/service	United States Air Force
Years of service	1950–1979
Rank	Colonel
Unit	51st Fighter Interceptor Wing 8th Tactical Fighter Wing
Commands	31st Tactical Fighter Wing
Battles/wars	Korean War Vietnam War
Awards	Silver Star (2) Legion of Merit (3) Distinguished Flying Cross Bronze Star with valor Purple Heart (2) Meritorious Service Medal Air Medal (4) Prisoner of War Medal

Samuel Robert Johnson (born October 11, 1930 – died May 27, 2020) was an American politician. He served as a U.S. representative for Texas in Congress from 1991 to 2019. He was a member of the Republican Party.

Johnson was also a United States Air Force colonel and a brave fighter pilot. He fought in both the Korean War and the Vietnam War. During the Vietnam War, he was an American prisoner of war in North Vietnam for almost seven years. He was the last Korean War veteran to serve in Congress.

Early Life and Education

Sam Johnson was born on October 11, 1930, in San Antonio, Texas. He grew up in Dallas and finished Woodrow Wilson High School in 1947.

In 1951, Johnson earned a degree in business administration from Southern Methodist University. Later, in 1976, he received a master's degree from the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University.

Military Career

Johnson in flight school in 1951

Johnson as a first lieutenant in 1957

Sam Johnson had a long career of 29 years in the United States Air Force. He was the director of the Air Force Fighter Weapons School. He also flew with the Air Force Thunderbirds, a famous precision flying team.

He led the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing in Florida and an air division in New Mexico. He retired from the Air Force as a colonel. One of his classmates in flight school was Buzz Aldrin, who later became an astronaut. They stayed friends for life.

Johnson was a combat pilot in both the Korean War and the Vietnam War. In the Korean War, he flew 62 combat missions in an F-86 Sabre and shot down one enemy plane. During the Vietnam War, Johnson flew the F-4 Phantom II.

Prisoner of War Experience

On April 16, 1966, during his 25th mission in Vietnam, his plane was shot down over North Vietnam. He broke his right arm and his back. He was captured and became a prisoner of war (POW) for almost seven years. For 42 months, he was kept alone in a small cell. During this time, he faced very difficult conditions.

Johnson was part of a group of eleven U.S. military prisoners called the Alcatraz Gang. They were kept separate from other prisoners because they resisted their captors. They were held in a special facility called "Alcatraz," near the "Hanoi Hilton" prison. Johnson and the others were kept in solitary confinement. Their cells were small, windowless, and had lights on all the time.

Johnson was released on February 12, 1973, as part of Operation Homecoming. He wrote about his POW experience in his book, Captive Warriors. When he was released, he weighed only 120 pounds. His right hand was permanently injured, and he walked with a limp for the rest of his life.

In 2018, Johnson gave items from his time as a prisoner to the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History.

Congressman Sam Johnson with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and General Richard B. Myers at a National POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremony in 2002.

Life After the Military

After his military career, Sam Johnson started a homebuilding business in Plano. In 1984, he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives. He served there for seven years.

Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives

Johnson and Dick Cheney in 2001

Sam and Shirley Johnson with Governor Rick Perry in 2003

Johnson greeting Oliver North in 2006

Johnson with fellow POW John McCain in 2016

On May 8, 1991, Johnson was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in a special election. He won his first election by a small margin. He continued to be re-elected many times, serving until 2019.

Political Views and Work

In the House, Johnson was known as a strong conservative. He often voted against government spending projects he thought were wasteful. He supported tax benefits for individuals and opposed extending unemployment benefits. A group called Citizens Against Government Waste often praised him for being careful with taxpayer money.

Johnson was a member of the Republican Study Committee, a group of conservative Republicans. He also worked on the Ways and Means Committee. This committee handles important issues like taxes and Social Security.

He supported changes to Social Security rules to help retired people. He also proposed a law to allow companies to get tax breaks for donating food to charity. Johnson believed in letting the market work for energy reform and supported allowing more oil drilling in Alaska.

After the death of John McCain, Johnson became the only Vietnam-era prisoner of war still serving in Congress.

Net Neutrality Stance

In 2017, Johnson signed a letter to the FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. This letter supported a plan to end net neutrality rules. Net neutrality rules aim to keep all internet traffic treated equally by internet providers.

Committee and Caucus Roles

Johnson was a member of important committees and groups in Congress:

• Committee on Ways and Means (He was also an interim chairman for a short time)
  • Subcommittee on Health
  • Subcommittee on Social Security (He was the chairman of this subcommittee)
• Joint Committee on Taxation

He was also part of several caucuses (groups of members with shared interests):

• Immigration Reform Caucus
• United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus
• Public Pension Reform Caucus
• Sportsmen's Caucus

Personal Life

Sam Johnson was married to Shirley L. Melton from 1950 until she passed away in 2015. They had three children: Gini, Beverly, and Bob. Their son Bob died in 2013.

Sam Johnson died on May 27, 2020, in Plano, Texas, where he had lived for many years. He was 89 years old. He was buried with full military honors in Dallas.

Awards and Decorations

Johnson received many awards and decorations for his military service:

Other Awards and Honors

• 1990: Johnson was added to the Woodrow Wilson High School Hall of Fame.
• October 2009: The Congressional Medal of Honor Society gave Johnson the National Patriot Award. This is their highest award for civilians who show great patriotism.
• 2011: Freedom of Flight award
• March 2016: Congressional Patriots Award
• April 2016: Patriot Award
• 2015: Johnson was inducted into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame at the San Diego Air & Space Museum.
• 2020: Sam Johnson Elementary School in Celina, Texas, was named in his honor.