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Lyndon B. Johnson in Uniform

Lyndon B. Johnson in Uniform

Lyndon B. Johnson was a congressman when he was appointed a lieutenant commander in the naval reserve in June 1940. He reported for duty after Pearl Harbor in December 1941, and served in 1942 as an aerial observer in Australia and New Guinea. In June 1942 his plane was nearly shot down by Japanese aircraft, and for his gallantry on this occasion he was awarded the Silver Star by General Douglas MacArthur. He resigned his commission in July 1942 in compliance with President Roosevelt’s order that all congressmen in the armed forces return to their legislative duties.

Credit
Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library and Museum/NARA

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