Clark E. Johnson

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star Medal to Clark E. Johnson (0-1302005), First Lieutenant (Infantry, U.S. Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Antitank Company, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in the vicinity of Esqueheries, Ile-de-France, France, 2 September 1944. While leading a motorized reconnaissance patrol through enemy territory, Lieutenant Johnson learned that another friendly group was trapped in the area and was in danger of being annihilated. Leaving one of his men in a strategic position to provide covering fire, he maneuvered a vehicle to a vantage point near the besieged group and, with effective machine-gun fire, enabled the men to reorganize and destroy their assailants. Lieutenant Johnson’s aggressiveness and gallantry were directly responsible for preventing heavy loss of life.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Clark E. Johnson (0-1302005), First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company K, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 30 March 1945, in the vicinity of Eisern, Germany. First Lieutenant Johnson organized his isolated company and crawling through a hail of enemy fire, personally placed their five attached tanks in advantageous positions. He signaled the attack and firing his carbine as he ran, charged the enemy flank and prevented a link-up between the main garrison and a body of reinforcements. He continued forward and fearlessly led a platoon in a surprise attack on the German command post, killing many of the defenders and capturing the commanding officer and his staff. First Lieutenant Johnson’s outstanding leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Clark E. Johnson (0-1302005), First Lieutenant (Infantry), [then Second Lieutenant], U.S. Army, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with Antitank Company, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in the vicinity of Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France, 6 June 1944. Voluntarily crossing hazardous terrain, despite intense enemy machine gun fire, First Lieutenant Johnson, at great personal risk, eliminated a number of hostile snipers, thereby facilitating his company’s advance inland. Lieutenant Johnson’s gallantry and unselfish devotion to duty contributed materially to the success of the invasion.