Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Samuel
Robert
Johnson
POW (RVN)
October 11, 1930

–

Samuel Johnson was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on April 16, 1966, and was held until his release on February 12, 1973. He retired in 1979 as a U.S. Air Force Colonel. After his retirement, Sam served in the Texas State Legislature and he was elected as Representative of Texas Third District in the United States Congress from 1991 to 2019.

Awards Received

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    January 1970 – December 1970

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Colonel Samuel Robert Johnson (AFSN: AO-2215616/FR-25936), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam during the period January 1970 to December 1970. In an atmosphere of enemy harassment and brutal treatment, he continued to establish and maintain communications through unusual and ingenious methods, which resulted in American and Allied prisoners presenting a posture of increased resistance to the enemy’s wishes, and, at the same time, improving prisoner morale. By his heroic endeavors and devotion to duty under adverse conditions of his environment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    January 1969

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Colonel Samuel Robert Johnson (AFSN: AO-2215616/FR-25936), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during January 1969, while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions, and propaganda materials. Colonel Johnson resisted their demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner which reflected his devotion to duty and great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    April 1966 – January 1973

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Samuel Robert Johnson (AFSN: AO-2215616/FR-25936), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from April 1966 to January 1973. His ceaseless efforts, by a continuous showing of resistance to an enemy who ignored all international agreements on treatment of Prisoners of War, in the extremely adverse conditions of the communist prisons of North Vietnam, demonstrated his professional competence, unwavering devotion, and loyalty to his country. Despite the harsh treatment through his long years of incarceration, he continued to perform his duties in a clearly exceptional manner which reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Regiment:

    51st Fighter Interceptor Wing

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    May 23, 1953

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant Samuel Robert Johnson (AFSN: AO-2215616/FR-25936), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement on 23 May 1953 while participating in an aerial flight over North Korea as Pilot of an F-86 type aircraft, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing, FIFTH Air Force. Lieutenant Johnson was flying a wing position when his element leader attacked twelve MiG-15 aircraft. Lieutenant Johnson’s element was subjected to an enemy attack and forced to break. Upon rolling out of the break, Lieutenant Johnson was in a position to fire upon one of the MiGs. The element leader called that he was clear and authorized him to fire. Scoring deadly hits with each burst, Lieutenant Johnson so seriously crippled the MiG that the pilot was forced to bail out. The ejection of the pilot was confirmed by gun camera film and Lieutenant Johnson was officially credited with destroying one MiG-15. Because of his quick thinking, superior airmanship and aggressiveness, Lieutenant Johnson has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Samuel Robert Johnson (AFSN: AO-2215616/FR-25936), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Johnson culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    January 1, 1970 – January 15, 1973

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Samuel Robert Johnson (AFSN: AO-2215616/FR-25936), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in dealing with highly classified material while detained as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during the period 1 January 1970 to 15 January 1973. As a leader and staff advisor, Colonel Johnson successfully coped with daily problems which required patience, perseverance, and at times ingenuity. He performed his duties in an outstanding manner over long periods of time with dedication and unflinching loyalty which reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    April 16, 1966 – February 12, 1973

    Colonel Samuel Robert Johnson (AFSN: AO-2215616/FR-25936), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from April 16, 1966 until his release on February 12, 1973.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Regiment:

    8th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Division:

    Ubon Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    April 16, 1966
    Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, Special Order G-174 (June 3, 1966)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major Samuel Robert Johnson (AFSN: AO-2215616/FR-25936), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Ubon Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, PACIFIC Air Force, in action in Southeast Asia on 16 April 1966. On that date, Major Johnson led a flight of two F-4C Fighter-Bombers on a twilight armed recce mission against a heavily defended target deep within hostile territory. Locating the target despite restricted visibility due to haze and terrain, Major Johnson encountered a curtain of flak as he rolled in for his first strike. Immediately altering his attack, although at a dangerously low altitude, he turned into the very teeth of fire from the menacing guns and continued to press the attack until his aircraft sustained mortal damage, forcing him to eject. This courageous act, attempted in the face of devastating ground fire at minimum altitude and great personal risk, epitomized the finest qualities of a true combat pilot. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Johnson has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.