Samuel Wilson is the real name of the hero the Falcon. The son of a preacher in Harlem who was killed stopping a street brawl, Sam grew up with his father's concern for people. Sam worked as a social worker until his mother was killed during a mugging. Depressed at his loss, Sam's personality changed. No longer was he concerned with others, but instead became a criminal interested in only himself. Calling himself Snap, Sam was involved in a plane crash on a Caribbean island on his way to Rio de Janeiro. The island was controlled by the Exiles, a group of criminals associated with the Red Skull.

The Red Skull used the Cosmic Cube to suppress the "Snap" personality and bring back Sam knowing that Sam would appeal to Captain America who was trapped on the island. The Skull planned to have Sam earn Captain America's trust and then have him betray him later. The Red Skull additionally used the Cosmic Cube's power to boast Sam's natural ability with birds to give him a telepathic link with his trained hawk Redwing. With Captain America's help, Sam defeated the Exiles and adopted the costumed identity of the Falcon.

The Falcon was only a roof top acrobat at the beginning of his career. With the aid of technology provided by the Black Panther, the Falcon adopted a new costume giving him the ability to fly.

He was appointed as a member of the Avengers for a time, at the behest of the U.S. government. His time as a member of the team was short.

Sam's memories of his time as Snap were brought back during shock therapy at S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters. The truth of his past finally came back and he was able to make amends for the errors he made during that period in his life.