[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 47 (Thursday, April 13, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E591]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


HONORING MR. PAUL JOHNSON OF SPRINGFIELD, TENNESSEE ON THE OCCASION OF 
         THE 31ST ANNIVERSARY OF HIS HEROIC MISSION TO VIETNAM

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB CLEMENT

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 13, 2000

  Mr. CLEMENT. Mr. Speaker, today I honor Mr. Paul Johnson of 
Springfield, Tennessee, on the occasion of the 31st anniversary of his 
heroic mission to Vietnam.
  ``Hero'' is a term that I do not use lightly. However, ``hero'' is 
the most fitting word I could ever use to describe Paul Johnson and men 
like him, who risked their lives fighting for our country around the 
world.
  As a career military man and Vietnam veteran, Paul Johnson has served 
our country well, retiring from the U.S. Army in 1985. However, until 
recently his story was largely unknown. Paul Johnson is not the kind of 
person who talks about his heroism. Perhaps that selflessness is what 
has made him a true hero.
  Paul Johnson was only 29 years old when he arrived in Vietnam in the 
fall of 1968. He never dreamed that his year-long tour there would 
include an episode calling for him to risk his own life to save 90 U.S. 
Marines from a certain, fiery death. For such courage, Johnson was 
awarded the Soldier's Medal, one of the highest honors one can receive 
from the United States Army.
  April 9, 1969, is a day that Sergeant Paul Johnson will never forget. 
That afternoon, after safely getting himself and others away from an 
explosives area, he was approached for assistance by a Marine Colonel 
who said that one hundred U.S. Marines were trapped inside a bunker 
beside an ammunition pad which had caught fire. The Marine Colonel 
could not order the Army soldier to assist, but stressed the need to 
rescue these men.
  Johnson, knowing that the likelihood of surviving such a mission was 
very slim, made the decision to take his personnel carrier and go in 
anyway, risking his own life in the process. Although Johnson did not 
ask any of his men to go with him, his driver agreed to undertake the 
rescue mission with him. The two of them made four trips back and forth 
to the bunker that day through the smoke, heat, and flames, to rescue 
90 men. According to his reports, each time they picked up a group of 
men, they greeted him with tears and shouts of joy. The day after the 
ordeal, Johnson drove past the location of the rescue and there was 
just a burned out hole where the bunker and ammunition dump had once 
been located. Paul believes that he made the miraculous rescue that day 
with the help of God.
  The driver who assisted Paul in the rescue did not return from 
Vietnam. He was later killed in battle, with Johnson near his side. 
Johnson is appreciative of accolades he has received, but remains ever 
mindful of his friends and fellow soldiers who gave their lives in the 
conflict. Those are the individuals that Johnson believes should be 
honored and remembered. In fact, he flies an American flag in his yard 
in honor of those slain and as a symbol of the freedom he fought so 
hard to keep.
  Paul Johnson was recently honored by the Tennessee State Legislature 
for his bravery and courage that April day and for his service to this 
nation. Currently, Paul is employed by the Robertson County Highway 
Department and is very actively involved in community and civic 
affairs.
  May we not forget Paul Johnson and those like him, who have fought so 
bravely, and so selflessly to ensure our continuing freedom for this 
and future generations.