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 per-
sonnel being taken prisoner by enemy forces; 
Whereas American military personnel who were taken pris-
oner 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;
•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 repa-
triation 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 un-
known; 
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 him-
self 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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Whereas during Samuel R. Johnson’s military career, he was 
awarded 2 Silver Stars, 3 Legions of Merit, the Distin-
guished 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 be-
gins 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 exem-
plary 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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(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 unac-
counted 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.