Sam Johnson: Patriot Honored by Medal of Honor Winners

Texas Rep. Sam Johnson -- one member that colleagues of both parties routinely refer to as “ a hero” and “great American” -- was honored October 10 for being precisely that by a group of the most honored Americans of all.

Johnson, a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot during the Vietnam War who was a prisoner of war for seven years, received the coveted National Patriot Award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

The award is a medallion that is awarded annually, according to its sponsors, “to distinguished Americans who exemplify the ideals that make our country strong. Their dedication to freedom evidences no limitations, their love of fellow man is not qualified, their allegiance to our flag with a full understanding of its demands is without reservation.”

Colleagues, constituents, and reporters who cover him would almost surely agree that this characterization fits Johnson (who turned 79 on the day after receiving the Patriot Award) to a tee. Having flown 87 combat missions in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, Johnson’s F-4 was shot down over North Vietnam in 1966. Imprisoned at the notorious “Hanoi Hilton,” tortured to the limit of human endurance, left with a limp and disfigured hand, the soft-spoken Texan finally walked out a free man in 1973 after U.S. bombing forced North Vietnam to the peace table.

“And when all of us [former POWs] went to a gala event at the White House, we thanked President Nixon and [Secretary of State] Henry Kissinger for bringing us home,” Johnson recalled to HUMAN EVENTS reporters, noting that the White House event for their homecoming in 1973 was one of the last public appearances by Irving Berlin (who led the audience in singing “God Bless America.”).

Johnson would go on to launch a successful homebuilding business, win a seat in the Texas House of Representatives in 1984, and then go to Congress in 1991. Today, he serves on the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee and was a key point-man on the U.S. effort in Iraq. Quite often, Johnson’s spirited defense of funding for Iraq put him at odds on the House floor with a fellow Vietnam veteran, Rep. John Murtha (D.-Penn.).

But rather than talking the issues he deals with in Congress or even his award, Johnson preferred to talk to us about the brave band of brothers who honored him. Referring to the dinner at the Dallas Westin Hotel at which he received the National Patriot Award days before he met with us, Johnson said that “there was a Medal of Honor winner at every table, and just being with guys like that made me shudder. They are the best of America, no doubt about it. And the guys who couldn’t be there, like those who gave their lives by falling on a live grenade to save their fellow servicemen, they are the greatest example of America at its best.”

As to how the heroes who honored him feel about the Obama administration, Johnson pulled no punches. In his words, “Everyone is worried about the freedom, about the prestige, and about the future of America’s military.”

Since the National Patriot Award was established in 1968, honorees of the Medal of Honor Society have included presidents (Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush) captains of industry (Lee Iaccoca and Ross Perot), office-holders who served in uniform (Sens. Bob Dole of Kansas and Rep. Floyd Spence of South Carolina), entertainers (Bob Hope and Jimmy Stewart), and religious leaders (Archbishop Philip Hannan of New Orleans).

Johnson, to use a well-used phrase, is in good company, company that is most appropriate for him.

Congressman Sam Johnson (R-TX)

Conservative Political Action Conference

Washington, DC
February 9, 2006

Good afternoon.

It’s great to be here surrounded by real American conservatives in Washington—let me tell you—it’s a lot different from Capitol Hill.

While the panel is labeled “What about Iran,” I’ve been asked to talk about the big picture of the global war on terrorism—and how it is seen through the eyes of a lifelong Air Force fighter pilot.

As Suhail said, I spent 29 years in the Air Force—served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars... and spent seven years as a POW in Vietnam—more than half in solitary confinement. I went to Iraq last fall and my visit came at just the right time. Little did I know it would prepare me for a highly-charged debate on the floor of the House.

Most of you know, at the end of last year, a liberal Congressman from Pennsylvania insisted we immediately withdraw our troops from Iraq. When I heard this, it made my blood boil.

It hurt to think what the men and women in harm’s way would believe when they heard the news that someone in Congress was not behind America’s mission.

It hurt to think what the military families here at home would believe when they learned that people in Washington did not support the troops.

And it hurt me to think that some people would just give up on our men and women in uniform. Our military boasts the best and the brightest—and we in the Congress must keep giving them the tools for ultimate success. Ladies and gentlemen, I do know what it’s like to be far from home—serving your country—risking your life—and hearing that America doesn’t care about you... Your Congress doesn’t care about you. Your Congress just cut all funding for your war. They’re packing up and going home—and leaving you.

When I was a POW, I was scared to death when our Congress talked about pulling the plug that we all would be left there forever.

I know what it does to morale—I know what it does to the mission—and so help me God, I will never, ever let our nation make those mistakes again.

Our men and women in uniform need our full support. They need to know that when they’re in Iraq driving from Camp Blue Diamond to Camp Victory that the Congress is fully behind them—to give them the best armored trucks they can drive, the best weapons they can fire, and the best ammunition they can use.

They need to have full faith that a few naysayers in Washington won’t cut and run—and leave them high and dry. They need to know these things because that’s mandatory for mission success and troop morale.

America—and the Congress—must stand behind our men and women in uniform because they stand up for us every minute of every day!

Any talk—even so much as a murmur—of leaving now or political timelines just emboldens the enemy and weakens the resolve of our of troops in the field.

We were attacked! We are at war against terrorists. We need to stay there for as long as it takes if we want democracy to take root in tyranny’s backyard. The area just got rocked by the election of Hamas to leadership. Iraq shares a border with Iran—that’s a nation ruled by someone who calls the Holocaust a myth. Right now, most of the neighbors of Iraq are not going to help us. Now more than ever, we must stand firm and resolute.

What makes me angry at the critics is that we are making great progress in Iraq.

Remember last January how we saw pictures from Iraq of that first election. For weeks the media predicted gloom and doom. You remember that. What did we see? We watched people as they waited in lines for hours—defying death threats—just to cast their vote for democracy.

Remember the picture of the woman in a black head cover flashing her purple finger in the V after voting in the first Iraqi elections. It was a breakthrough for democracy—and it was just the beginning.

Remember the December vote on the constitution—when people came out in droves to make their voice heard. You wouldn’t have known about it because there was so little mention of it here in the American press. People got out there and they voted—they showed their support for democracy—a new government, fresh hope and a future.

The people of Iraq are thirsting for something more—they are risking their lives in the name of a new government. We must stay the course if we want to foster a stable Iraq and create hope for millions in the Middle East.

And our work is paying off—not just at the ballot box. Remember when we were waking up that Sunday morning in shock as we caught Saddam Hussein cowering in a rat-hole. He’s gone

And you know what, at least 46 of Hussein’s 55 most wanted regime members are either dead or incarcerated.

Just last week we handed over another base to Iraqi control. We’re making progress daily. It’s just going to take time—but our guys on the ground are working with other nations to make inroads to create leadership and inspire democracy in a country that has only known hate, fear, torture and oppression.

I have to ask—What would Iraq be like if the United States pulled out? What would Iraq be like if we left and allowed dangerous people like the head of Al-Qaeda, Zarqawi, to run the country?

Just as Bin Laden said in his recent video, Al Qaeda rules with death, fear, terror and blood. Al Qaeda takes innocent people hostage—then beheads them—and then brags about it on the Internet.

Al Qaeda has no respect for human life. They prey on innocent people to do their dirty work—because they know we don’t target schools and hospitals and mosques—yet those are the exact places that they’re using for safe cover.

What part of Al Qaeda do you want operating here in America? Al Qaeda is a worldwide organization and a worldwide threat. There are confirmed reports of cells plotting here on U.S. soil. Americans don’t want, need or deserve Al Qaeda. Our troops are in Iraq fighting not just for our freedom and protection—but freedom for the world.

As President Bush said: We must fight the bad guys over there—not over here. We must support our troops to the hilt so they don’t go to bed at night—covered in talcum-powder thin white sand wondering—“Does America really support me.”

In case people have forgotten, this Democrat nonsense back home is a lot like what happened in Vietnam. Peaceniks and people in Congress—and America—started saying bad things about what was going on over there. Let me tell you what it did for troop morale. It’s a real downer. I just pray our troops and their families can block this noise out and know that I will fight like mad to make sure our troops have everything they need—for as long as they need—to win this global war on terrorism.

We must and we will win.

Withdrawal is not an option!

God bless you and I salute you.

Sam Johnson bump.

Washington, Feb 15, 2007 -

Today U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (3rd Dist.-Texas) released the following statement in response to Rep. John Murtha’s (D-Pa.) plan to cut funding of the troops as a way to end the war in Iraq. Murtha chairs the Defense spending subcommittee.

A 29-year Air Force veteran, Johnson served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Johnson spent nearly seven years as a Prisoner of War, more than half of that time in solitary confinement. Coincidentally, this week in 1973 as one of the longest held captives, Johnson finally left Hanoi on February 12, 1973 and returned home to Texas on February 17, 1973.

Yesterday, a DC-based publication, “The Politico” used the term “slow bleed” to describe the Democrat’s plan for Iraq.

“John Murtha’s ‘slow-bleed’ strategy to cut the funds for our guys on the ground isn’t a solution, it’s a shame.

“While Democrats have spent the last few days insisting that they don’t want to cut funding, John Murtha proposes a plan to do just that. John Murtha wants to hamstring their efforts and pull the rug out from underneath them.

“We saw what happened to Vietnam when America cut the funding on the troops in harm’s way. We lost – a lot. The touchstone of a thriving democracy is using our past experiences as learning experiences…and not repeating the mistakes of the past.”

http://www.samjohnson.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=58412

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