U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson

Decorated war hero and distinguished statesman

Sam Johnson is a native Texan and beloved public servant frequently hailed for his patriotism, commitment to democracy and strong conservative values, and efforts on behalf of the North Texas constituents he serves.

A graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, Sam earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Southern Methodist University and a Master’s degree in Industrial Administration from George Washington University.

Sam is also a decorated war hero who ranks among the few Members of Congress to fight in combat. During his 29-year career in the U.S. Air Force, Representative Johnson served as the director of the Air Force Fighter Weapons School (“Top Gun”) and was one of two authors of the air tactics manual revolutionizing military air dominance by incorporating three-dimensional flight – a manual that is still used today.

Sam flew combat missions in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. During the Korean War, Sam flew 62 combat missions in his F-86, stationed just 25 miles from the front lines. In his plane – Shirley’s Texas Tornado named after his wife – he scored one MiG fighter kill, one probable, and one damaged.

Back at Nellis Air Force Base, Sam flew the solo and slot positions for the world-renowned Air Force Thunderbirds precision flying demonstration team in the F-100 Super Sabre.

In the Vietnam War during his first tour of duty, Sam worked at the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam headquarters in Saigon where he helped coordinate the first B-52 strikes under General Westmoreland. During his second tour, he flew F-4 Phantom II combat missions with the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing in Thailand. It was during his 25th combat mission of his second tour in 1966 that Sam was shot down.

Sam endured nearly seven years as a Prisoner of War in the infamous Hanoi Hilton, including 42 months in solitary confinement after his captors labeled him a “die-hard.”  He spent 72 days in leg stocks, 2 ½ years in leg irons, and experienced severe starvation and torture.

Sam chronicles his POW experience in solitary confinement in his autobiography, Captive Warriors. The book details the stories of the self-named "Alcatraz Gang," including great American patriots, such as Jeremiah Denton and Jim Stockdale.

Sam returned home to Texas in February 1973 as part of “Operation Homecoming.”

He was decorated with the following military awards: Silver Star with 1 oak leaf cluster, Legion of Merit with 2 oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star with Valor Device, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster, Purple Heart with 1 oak leaf cluster, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Combat Readiness Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, Korea Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with 5 oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster, Vietnam Service Medal with 8 oak leaf clusters, Korean Presidential Unit Citation Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with device, Vietnam (RVN) Campaign Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 4 oak leaf clusters, and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor device.

Following his distinguished military career, Sam established a home-building business in North Dallas from scratch and served in the Texas State legislature before running for the United States House of Representatives in 1991 during a special election.

Sam holds a House leadership role as a Deputy Whip. He is a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means where he has served as the Chairman of the Social Security Subcommittee since 2011. He also sits on the Health Subcommittee.

A fiscal hawk and constitutional conservative who advocates for lower taxes and smaller government, Sam has proved himself as a respected leader with a rock-solid record.  He is one of four founding members who established the Conservative Action Team, known today as the Republican Study Committee.

A few of his accomplishments include:

  • Removed penalties for American seniors who want to work by passing a law in 2000 that eliminated the Retirement Earnings Test (RET) for folks who are at or above their retirement age. 
  • Repealing the Wright Amendment to allow Dallas’ Love Field Airport the ability to offer direct flights, increasing competition and saving North Texans’ time and money (H.R. 2646, The Right to Fly Act).
  • Protecting Americans’ identity by passing a law to remove Social Security numbers from Medicare cards (H.R. 380).
  • Securing the approval for two new local Veterans Health Clinics in Plano – a Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) that opened in September of 2016 as well as a Specialty Clinic that will also be located in Plano.   These clinics, which allow veterans to receive proper health care closer to home, provide an alternative to the Dallas VA (a long commute).
  • Honoring Korean War veterans by passing a law to allow for the construction of a Wall of Remembrance to be added to the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.   The Wall will list the names of all members of the U.S. Armed Forces who gave their lives in support of Freedom during the Korean War.  It will also list the total number of all American POWs and MIAs from the Korean War.
  • Working to ensure North Texas does not experience a water shortage in 2021 due to the community’s population boom.  He had an amendment signed into law in 2016 (S. 612) to expedite the permitting process for the Lower Bois d’Arc Creek Reservoir. The permit was issued in early 2018, and the project broke ground that spring.


In 2009, Sam’s peers recognized him as the "most admired" Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives. In addition, in 2009 the prestigious Congressional Medal of Honor Society bestowed Sam their highest civilian accolade, the National Patriot Award, for his tireless work on behalf of the troops, veterans, and freedom.

In 2011, Sam accepted the "Freedom of Flight" award at the Living Legends of Aviation Awards, dubbed the Oscars of aviation, from renowned air show pilot Bob Hoover.

Also in 2011, the renowned bipartisan publication, National Journal, named Sam the most conservative Member of Congress based solely on his voting record.

In 2016, the Bipartisan Policy Center awarded U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (TX-03) with its first Congressional Patriot Award.  The biennial award recognizes "two Members of Congress – one Democrat and one Republican – who have performed patriotic deeds worthy of remembrance."  Johnson shared the award stage with Congressman John Lewis (D-GA), the iconic civil rights activist and first Democrat recipient of the award.

In addition to representing the 3rd District, Sam serves as a Regent for the world famous Smithsonian Institution, where he represents the Board of Regents on the Advisory Board of the National Air and Space Museum.

Sam Johnson was married to the love of his life, the late Shirley L. Melton of Dallas who passed away December 3, 2015.  They have three children and ten grandchildren.