Royal Cleaves Johnson (October 3, 1882 – August 2, 1939) was a U.S. Representative from South Dakota and a highly decorated veteran of World War I while he was still a member of Congress.

He became a highly decorated veteran receiving the Distinguished Service Cross from the United States government.

In Montfaucon, France, on the 26th and 27 September 1918, he was involved in a combat situation wherein he repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire and was wounded by an exploding shell.

Although severely wounded, he accompanied two of his fellow soldiers to the rear and refused space in an ambulance until his comrades were cared for.

For this, he received the Distinguished Service Cross from the United States government, the citation for which reads: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Royal Cleaves Johnson, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 313th Infantry Regiment, 79th Division, A.E.F., at Montfaucon, France, September 26–27, 1918.

Lieutenant Johnson constantly exposed himself to the enemy fire during the action at Montfaucon, setting an example to his men by his fearlessness.