Louis A. Johnson
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The Honorable Louis A. Johnson |
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| 2nd United States Secretary of Defense | |
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In office March 28, 1949 – September 19, 1950 |
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| President | Harry S. Truman |
| Preceded by | James V. Forrestal |
| Succeeded by | George C. Marshall |
| National Commander of The American Legion |
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In office 1932 – 1933 |
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| Preceded by | Henry L. Stevens, Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Edward A. Hayes |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Louis Arthur Johnson January 10, 1891 Roanoke, Virginia |
| Died | April 24, 1966 (aged 75) Washington, D.C. |
| Resting place | Elkview Masonic Cemetery, Clarksburg, West Virginia 39°16′27.6″N 80°19′13.1″W / 39.274333°N 80.320306°W |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Ruth Frances Maxwell (m. 1920–66) |
| Children |
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| Parents |
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| Alma mater | University of Virginia |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Religion | Episcopalian |
| Civilian awards |
 Medal for Merit
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| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 United States
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| Service/branch |
 United States Army Reserve
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| Rank |
 Lieutenant Colonel
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| Unit |
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| Battles/wars | |
| Military awards |
 French Legion of Honor
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Louis A. Johnson (born Louis Arthur Johnson; January 10, 1891 – April 24, 1966) was an American politician who served as the second United States Secretary of Defense from 1949 to 1950. He was the Assistant Secretary of War from 1937 to 1940 and the National Commander of The American Legion from 1932 to 1933.
Johnson was born on January 10, 1891, in Roanoke, Virginia, to Marcellus and Katherine (née Arthur) Johnson. He earned a law degree from the University of Virginia. After graduation he practiced law in Clarksburg, West Virginia; his firm, Steptoe & Johnson eventually opened offices in Charleston, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C.. Elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1916, he served as majority floor leader and chairman of the Judiciary Committee. During World War I, Johnson saw action as an Army Captain in France, where he compiled a long report to the War Department on Army management and materiel requisition practices. After the war he resumed his law practice and was active in veterans' affairs, serving as the National Commander of the American Legion.
As Assistant Secretary of War from 1937 to 1940, Johnson advocated Universal Military education and training, rearmament, and expansion of military aviation. He feuded with isolationist Secretary of War Harry Hines Woodring over military aid to Great Britain. In mid-1940, after Woodring's resignation and the fall of France revealed the precarious state of the nation's defenses, Franklin D. Roosevelt bypassed Johnson for the position of Secretary of War, instead choosing Henry Stimson.
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