Johnson, Hugh Samuel (1882-1942) army officer and legal specialist, born in Fort Scott, Kansas. Johnson developed and implemented the Selective Service System in 1917 during World War I, for which he received the Distinguished Service Medal. Johnson resigned from the military in 1919 and held several civilian positions before becoming one of the New Deal's top administrators under President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Johnson wrote two boys' adventure books and several short stories about military life that appeared in major magazines of the day.

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1882–1942, American army officer, government administrator, b. Fort Scott, Kans. After graduation (1903) from West Point, he entered the U.S. army as a second lieutenant. In World War I he formulated (1917) plans for selective service in the U.S. army, administered the draft, and served on the War Industries Board. Johnson resigned (1919) from the army as brigadier general and became a business executive. He was summoned (1933) to Washington, D.C., to help formulate the National Industrial Recovery Act, and after its passage he served (1933–34) as head of the National Recovery Administration.