Former vice commander to speak at POW/MIA ceremony Published Sept. 12, 2007 By Airman 1st Class Shane Dunaway 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- A former 4th Fighter Wing pilot and Vietnam-era prisoner of war will be the guest speaker for a POW/MIA ceremony Sept. 21 at 4 p.m. at Heritage Park. Sam Johnson, a congressman from Texas, spent nearly seven years in the Hanoi Hilton, according to www.samjohnson.house.gov. During that time, he spent more than 42 months in solitary confinement. The POW/MIA ceremony honors the sacrifices of servicemembers from previous wars who were held captive behind enemy lines, said 2nd Lt. John Slottje, executive officer to the 4th Fighter Wing director of staff. Congressman Johnson, a graduate from Southern Methodist University, was also stationed here in the fall of 1974 as the director of operations for the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing and as the vice wing commander the following year. After serving in the Air Force for 29 years, Congressman Johnson retired as a colonel. He earned several medals over the course of his career, including two Silver Stars, two Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross and two Purple Hearts. "Not only is Congressman Johnson an inspiration as a former POW, but the fact he truly is a member of Team Seymour in addition to being a distinguished representative in Congress, makes his quite an inspirational success story," said Dustin Pawlak, 4th Fighter Wing protocol chief.