Ural Alexis Johnson was born in Falun, Kansas, into a family of Swedish descent.

While Ambassador to Czechoslovakia, he represented the United States in a long series of meetings in Geneva with the Chinese Communists.

[3] He was chief United States delegate to the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks from 1973 until retirement in 1977.

As Under Secretary for Political Affairs at the U.S. State Department, Johnson was involved in the Apollo 11 lunar landing ceremonial activities.

Johnson was also sensitive to the idea of raising a U.S. flag on the surface of the Moon, as it might symbolize territorial acquisition.