President Johnson awarded Silver Star?

self ^ | n/a | self

[OldCorps]

The other day I was look at a book of Presidential biographies with my son. I saw a photograph of President Johnson wearing the lapel device for the silver star. My understanding is that President Johnson was a congressman during WWII and took some desk job just to wear a uniform.

[demlosers]

Criteria:
The Silver Star is awarded to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Army, is cited for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. The required gallantry, while of a lesser degree than that required for award of the Distinguished Service Cross, must nevertheless have been performed with marked distinction. Soldiers who received a citation for gallantry in action during World War I may apply to have the citation converted to the Silver Star Medal

[Arkie2]

I remember reading this particular passage in the book and the star was handed to Johnson by McArthur to curry favor in Washington. Johnson was terrified to fly and flew the mission only to dispel rumors that he was a coward. It was his only "action" in the war but he shamelessly used the star in later political campaigns. He was the prototypical modern Democrat.

[cynicom]

In old Air Force the dumbest pilot was awarded a Fur Lined Relief Vessel. For real boners such as no-flap takeoffs, the crews of three squadrons would be assembled in base theatre and the winner was made to accept on stage.

[OldCorps]

Hey Non-Sequitur,

that's a low blow at the Army. Actually (as you probably know), there is no difference between Silver Stars of the three services, just like the Legion of Merit or the Meritorious Service Medal. So there is no such thing as "Army" Silver Star.

If this information is correct, lets just clarify that this was the Army Air Corps, which at this point in the war was almost a separate service in and of itself. For example, they (the AAC) had a seat at the Joint Chiefs of Staff meetings (US) and the Combined Chiefs of Staffs (US&UK). The AAC did not like to take orders from the Army (kind of like our relationship with their successor today).

[oyez]

Lieutenant Commander Johnson,

And the war was in it seventh month. Just how long had he have his commision? Must new navy officer would stil be an ensign.

[Non-Sequitur]

that's a low blow at the Army.

The ROTC I mentioned on another thread was Navy ROTC. From my point of view there are no cheap shots where the Army is concerned...Air Force, either. :)

[oyez]

Must = Most

[omega4412]

As the joke about LBJ went, you could tell whether he was telling the truth by his gestures. If he yawned, he was telling the truth. If he scratched his rear, he was telling the truth. And if he moved his lips he was lying.

[OldCorps]

sooooo.....

what do you have against the Army?

[Non-Sequitur]

He enlisted right after Pearl Harbor. It wasn't uncommon for the military to commission someone at a higher rank based on skills gained in civilian life. I have no idea what skills Johnson brought in, other than political savvy and an ability for self-promotion. Look at the bright side. If Johnson had been a Senator he probably would have demanded that they make him an Admiral.

BTW, FDR had all the congressmen and senators who enlisted discharged and returned to Congress shortly thereafter.

[colorado tanker]

Your post certainly says it all. I'm watching the HBO dramatization of "Band of Brothers" right now. They and others who saw the heaviest combat of WWII were awarded darn few medals in contrast to "Raider Johnson" winning a Silver Star for one combat mission that did not reach the target.

[Eternal_Bear]

LBJ was a big fraud. Contrast this to my father who served in the same area during the war who received a bloody wound during a bombing mission but refused to apply for a Purple Heart saying the wound wasn't that big of deal though he needed lots of stitches. He later did receive the Distinguished Flying Cross for performing real combat missions.

[Non-Sequitur]

You mean other than last years Army-Navy game?

[Tuco-bad]

Translation: he went on a joy ride in a B-26 that was under fire for maybe 15 minutes and got a medal out of it. His biographer, Robert Caro, calls it "one of the most undeserved Silver Stars in history."

Agree.

[Gritty]

Johnson's bogus Silver Star was as deserved as his reputation for honesty!

[aristeides]

BTW, FDR had all the congressmen and senators who enlisted discharged and returned to Congress shortly thereafter.

All of them? I thought Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr. served throughout the war. However, now that I think about it, I have a vague recollection that he resigned his Senate seat and had to run to get back into the Senate in '46.

All the other members of Congress who wanted to serve were free to do the same thing and resign their seats. I guess they decided not to.

Strom Thurmond was of course at D-Day, but I don't think he had been elected yet to Congress at that point.

[tracer]

Meetcha at his grave at midnight next Sunday. Bring your own shovel.....

[Ann Archy]

Don't forget how LBJ "won" his first race....by stuffing ballot box #13 (I think it was #13). Anyway someone just interviewed the man who KNEW what Johnson did and even ad the ballot box. Moral of the story...he's a Democrat....He LIES and CHEATS.....it's all they know how to do.

[Tallguy]

Just how long had he have his commision? Must new navy officer would stil be an ensign.

A little-known congressional perk (not much in use these days) is that a congressman can "request" a reserve commission without undergoing any particular training. I understand that Gary Hart received a commission as a LCDR while serving on the Senate Armed Services Committee. He used to fly out to a carrier once in a while to claim that he was pulling his duty. Apparently the Navy likes to think that it is getting something in return for allowing congressmen to play at being in the military.