Born near Stonewall, Texas. Graduate of Texas State Teachers College in 1930. Attended Georgetown University Law School. Taught school in Houston, Texas. Married to Claudia Alta Taylor, generally known as Lady Bird, on November 17, 1934. They had two daughters. Taught grade school in Cotulla, Texas 1928 to 1929.

Johnson was elected to Congress April 10, 1937, and served until 1941. Johnson enlisted in the Navy three days after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was commissioned as a lieutenant commander and was awarded the Silver Star. In July 1942 he was recalled to Washington to continue service in Congress.

Johnson was elected to the United States Senate November 2, 1948. He served until 1961 when he was elected Vice President under Kennedy. He was inaugurated January 20, 1961. Kennedy was assassinated November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas.

Johnson took the oath of office as 36th President on board Air Force One before the plane returned the body of Kennedy to Washington. Johnson chose Hubert Humphrey to be his running mate for the election of 1964 and won reelection. Their inauguration was January 20, 1965.

Johnson received public criticism for the conduct of the Vietnam War. In a televised address to the nation he announced that he would not run for reelection in 1968. He died at the LBJ Ranch in Texas.

Johnson appears on two presidential medals. The first (USM 136) was issued for his succession of Kennedy in 1963. The second (USM 137), designed by Frank Gasparro, was for his first full term.

Johnson appears on the Assay Commission Medal for 1964 (AC-108) and 1965 (AC-109). The 1964 obverse is by Gilroy Roberts and reverse by Edward Grove. The 1965 dies were by Frank Gasparro.

bio: BDC; BDEB; ConAut; EAB; Failor; WAB; WWWA-5