Techsans in the Vietnam War: Profile

Techsans in the Vietnam War
  • Captain Philip W. Johnson

    24 October 1944

    TTU: 1965; 1972 - 1975;

    Class of '65


  • Philip W. Johnson was born October 24, 1944, and grew up in Lubbock, Texas. He graduated from Texas Tech University with a BA in Mathematics in 1965. He later joined the Air Force and served as an F-100 pilot for the 531st Tactical Fighter Squadron in Bien Hoa, Vietnam, from November 1967 to November 1968. While in the Air Force he earned the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with multiple Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Republic of Vietnam Cross ofGallantry, eventually leaving the Air Force as a captain in 1972. He then returned to Texas Tech to get his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree, graduating with honors in 1975. While in law school he was a member of the Law Review, Order of the Coif, and is a Law School Distinguished Alumnus. After graduating from Tech, Johnson spent many years as a lawyer and in 2005 was appointed as a Justice in the Texas Supreme Court. He is married to Carla Newsom Johnson and has five children: BetsyJohnson, Jeff Johnson, Carl Oberdier, Laura Oberdier Pfortmiller, and Phillip A. Johnson.

    • Johnson climbing into plane
      Johnson climbing into plane
    • Johnson portrait
      Johnson portrait