H. Res. 986 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

May 22, 2008. 

Whereas recent world events have brought Americans closer 

together, while reinvigorating our patriotism, reminding 

us of our precious liberties and freedoms, and giving us 

a greater appreciation for the men and women of the 

United States Armed Forces who defend our homeland 

every day; 

Whereas the honor and valor of past and present members 

of the United States Armed Forces inspire many young 

people to serve their country; 

Whereas participation by the United States Armed Forces in 

combat operations in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam 

conflict resulted in more than 700 American military personnel being taken prisoner by enemy forces; 

Whereas American military personnel who were taken prisoner were held in numerous prisoner of war facilities, the 

most notorious of which was Hoa Lo Prison in downtown 

Hanoi, Vietnam, which was dubbed by prisoners held 

there as the ‘‘Hanoi Hilton’’; 

Whereas on January 23, 1973, the United States and North 

Vietnam jointly announced the terms of a cease-fire 

agreement, which included the release of prisoners of 

war; 
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•HRES 986 EH 

Whereas the return of the American prisoners of war to the 

United States and to their families and comrades was 

designated Operation Homecoming; 

Whereas on January 27, 1973, the first group of American 

prisoners of war were released at airfields near Hanoi 

and Loc Ninh, and the last Operation Homecoming repatriation took place on April 1, 1973; 

Whereas many American military personnel who were taken 

prisoner as a result of combat in Southeast Asia have not 

returned to their loved ones and their fate remains unknown; 

Whereas American military personnel who were prisoners of 

war in Southeast Asia were routinely subjected to brutal 

mistreatment, including beatings, torture, starvation, and 

denial of medical attention and outside information, and 

were frequently isolated from each other and prohibited 

from communicating with one another; 

Whereas the prisoners, at great personal risk, nevertheless 

devised a means to communicate with each other through 

a code transmitted by tapping on cell walls; 

Whereas the prisoners held in the Hanoi Hilton included 

then-Major Samuel R. Johnson, United States Air Force, 

now a member of Congress from the 3rd Congressional 

District of Texas, who was shot down on April 16, 1966, 

while flying his 25th mission over North Vietnam; 

Whereas Samuel R. Johnson spent more than half of his time 

as a prisoner in solitary confinement, and conducted himself with such valor as to be labeled by the enemy as a 

die-hard resister, and, notwithstanding the tremendous 

suffering inflicted upon him, demonstrated an unfailing 

devotion to duty, honor, and country; 
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•HRES 986 EH 

Whereas during Samuel R. Johnson’s military career, he was 

awarded 2 Silver Stars, 3 Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, a Bronze Star with ‘‘V’’ device for 

valor, 2 Purple Hearts, 4 Air Medals, and 5 Outstanding 

Unit awards; 

Whereas Samuel R. Johnson retired from active duty in 1979 

in the grade of colonel, and personifies the verse in Isaiah 

40:31, ‘‘They shall mount with wings as eagles’’; 

Whereas the American military personnel who were prisoners 

of war during the Vietnam conflict truly represent the 

best of America; 

Whereas the 35th anniversary of Operation Homecoming begins on February 12, 2008, and ends on April 1, 2008; 

Whereas the world acknowledges that the words inscribed by 

an American prisoner of war in a Hanoi Hilton cell, 

‘‘Freedom has a taste to those who fight and die for it 

that the protected will never know’’, are bitterly true and 

eternally appreciated; and 

Whereas the Nation owes a debt of gratitude to these patriots 

and their families for their courage, heroism, and exemplary service: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) expresses its deepest gratitude for, and calls 

upon all Americans to reflect upon and to show their 

gratitude for, the courage and sacrifice of the brave 

members of the United States Armed Forces, including 

Samuel R. Johnson of Texas, who were held as prisoners 

of war during the Vietnam conflict; 
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•HRES 986 EH 

(2) urges States and localities to honor the courage 

and sacrifice of those prisoners of war with appropriate 

ceremonies and activities; 

(3) acting on behalf of all Americans, will not forget 

the 1,729 members of the United States Armed Forces 

and the 34 United States citizens who remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam conflict and will continue 

to press for a full accounting of all of these members; 

and 

(4) honors all of the members of the United States 

Armed Forces who have fought and died in the defense 

of freedom. 

Attest: 

Clerk.