War Hero and Congressman Sam Johnson Remembered by the Dallas BA
Former Congressman, Vietnam POW and home builder Sam Johnson died May 27 at a hospital in Plano. He
was 89.
Mr. Johnson retired in 2019. He was considered one of the most conservative members of the House of Representatives and helped found the Conservative Action Team, a group that later became the influential Republican Study Committee.
Mr. Johnson flew 62 missions during the Korean War. He was a member of the elite Thunderbirds aerobatic team and later directed the Air Force Fighter Weapons School. On his 25th mission of the war, he was shot down over North Vietnam in 1966 and held captive in the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” for nearly seven years. During that time, he was subjected to especially brutal treatment for defying his captors.
Upon returning from Vietnam, Mr. Johnson became a home builder before running for the state legislature in 1984. Johnson’s experience as a home builder was especially helpful to the Dallas Builders Association. On a wide variety of issues such as tax and regulatory reform, building codes and challenges with the post office Mr. Johnson always delivered for housing.
“I know I speak for all of our staff and members when I say it was an honor to work with such an incredible American,” said Dallas BA Executive Officer, Phil Crone. “The freedoms we enjoy in this country and the opportunities in our industry are owed to heroes such as Sam Johnson. While he may have faded away, his impact will last long after he’s laid to rest.”