Brian Birdwell

Brian Birdwell
Official portrait, 2026
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment
Incumbent
Assumed office
May 29, 2026
PresidentDonald Trump
Preceded byChristopher Lowman
President pro tempore of the Texas Senate
In office
January 12, 2021 – May 31, 2021
Preceded byJoan Huffman
Succeeded byDonna Campbell
Member of the Texas Senate
from the 22nd district
In office
July 2, 2010 – May 26, 2026
Preceded byKip Averitt
Succeeded byVacant
Personal details
BornBrian Douglas Birdwell
(1961-11-03) November 3, 1961 (age 64)
Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
PartyRepublican
Children1
Education
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch United States Army
Service years
1984–2001
RankLieutenant Colonel
AwardsPurple Heart
Legion of Merit

Brian Douglas Birdwell (born November 3, 1961) is an American politician serving as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment since 2026. A member of the Republican Party, he served as a member of the Texas Senate from 2010 to 2026.

Early life and education

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Birdwell earned a Bachelor of Science degree in criminology from Lamar University in 1984 and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Missouri–Kansas City in 1996.

Career

On September 11, 2001, Birdwell was working as a military aide to with the United States Army at The Pentagon. Birdwell had just left the restroom, and was returning to his office, when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the building. He recalled being "tossed around like a rag doll" during the impact, and collapsing when he realised that he was on fire. The building's sprinkler system extinguished the fire on his body, and he managed to make his way to help. Four people carried Birdwell to a triage area, where he was administered with morphine and an IV. Both had to be administered through his feet, due to the extent of the burns on the rest of his body. He was taken to Georgetown University Hospital to be treated, and was later flown to the Washington Hospital Center.

Birdwell suffered 60% total body burns, with more than 40% of them being third degree. His lungs were also badly damaged by smoke inhalation. He spent 92 days admitted to hospital, and underwent more than 39 surgeries.

Two days after being injured, Birdwell met President George W. Bush. Rob Maness, a United States Air Force officer who rescued Birdwell, learned about Birdwell's identity only when they met at the 2016 Republican National Convention.

On July 1, 2004 Birdwell retired from the military, and founded Face the Fire Ministries, a charitable organisation that supports burn survivors and their families.

He holds a Purple Heart and a Legion of Merit.

Political positions

Elections

He defeated David Sibley in a June 22, 2010 special election, replacing Kip Averitt.

Birdwell won the 2010 general election unopposed.

Legislation sponsored

In February 2017, Birdwell sponsored Senate Joint Resolution 2, which calls for a convention to propose amendments to the United States Constitution. The resolution "seeks amendments that place restraints on the federal budget and check power and enact term limits for U.S. officials." Senate Joint Resolution 2 was passed by both chambers of the Texas Legislature. In May 2017, Birdwell sponsored a bill outlining the duties and limits of Texas delegates should a convention of states occur. It was approved by the Texas House and sent to Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

Immigration

Birdwell was the only Republican who voted against Texas Senate Bill 4 (2023), which allows state officials to arrest and deport migrants who enter the state illegally.

Personal life

He has one son with his wife.

References

  1. ↑ Ramsey, Ross (July 28, 2010). "One Man, Two Votes". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Brian Birdwell personal profile". texastribune.org. Retrieved September 11, 2010.
  3. ↑ "The Texas State Senate – Senator Brian Birdwell: District 22". senate.texas.gov. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  4. 1 2 "'The impact should have killed me': Texas senator recalls 9/11 Pentagon attack". Spectrum News. September 11, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  5. 1 2 Brolley, Tara (September 11, 2024). "Senator Birdwell shares his story of survival, recovery from Pentagon 9/11 attack". KEYE. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 "9/11 Survivor Returns to Tell Story of Hope". DVIDS. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Birdwell saluted". snopes.com. December 27, 2001. Retrieved September 11, 2010.
  8. ↑ Itkowitz, Colby (July 28, 2016). "Senator Brian Birdwell Finally Gets Chance to Thank Man who Helped Him on 9/11". Washington Post. Retrieved April 22, 2020 – via The Texas Tribune.
  9. ↑ Mark Ballard (July 24, 2016). "U.S. Senate candidate Rob Maness meets Texas senator he helped save on 9-11 when both were soldiers". The Baton Rouge Advocate. Retrieved July 25, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Brian Birdwell: Refined by Fire". CBN. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
  11. 1 2 "Brian Birdwell". brianbirdwell.net. Archived from the original on October 20, 2010. Retrieved September 11, 2010.
  12. ↑ "Gulf War vet Brian Birdwell wins runoff for Central Texas state Senate seat". Dallas Morning News, June 23, 2010. Retrieved September 11, 2010.
  13. ↑ "Christy Hoppe, Brian Birdwell Stays on the Ballot, August 19, 2010". Dallas Morning News. August 22, 2010. Retrieved September 11, 2010.
  14. ↑ Pollock, Cassandra (February 28, 2017). "Texas Senate approves convention of states legislation". Texas Tribune. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  15. ↑ Pollock, Cassandra (May 27, 2017). "Convention of states-related bill hits Gov. Greg Abbott's desk". Texas Tribune. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
  16. ↑ "Lawmakers Vote to Give Texas Power to Arrest, Deport Migrants". November 15, 2023.
  17. ↑ https://journals.senate.texas.gov/sjrnl/884/pdf/88S4SJ11-09-F.PDF#page=3
  18. ↑ Hastings, Paul. "9/11 Survivor at the Pentagon". Compelled Podcast. Retrieved September 6, 2023.