James H Johnson

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to James H. Johnson (0-61923), Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade (Separate). Lieutenant Colonel Johnson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 30 and 31 January 1968 as commander of an airborne infantry battalion on a combat mission near Tuy Hoa. During the early morning hours of 30 January, his unit was called to aid an artillery battery which had been overrun by a North Vietnamese Army force. After making an estimate of the situation, Colonel Johnson committed a company size reaction force to counterattack the enemy and quickly established his forward command post at the battery’s perimeter. Repeatedly exposing himself to savage hostile automatic weapons, mortar and small arms fire, he skillfully directed his troops’ assault which forced the North Vietnamese to withdraw to a nearby village. Colonel Johnson led his company in pursuit of the enemy, set up a second command post on high ground overlooking the hamlet and determined that the North Vietnamese were occupying previously constructed fortified positions. Continuing to brave intense hostile fire, he moved forward with his assault element and, upon meeting stiff resistance from the dug-in enemy force, decided to employ a riot control agent. Colonel Johnson then personally led his troops through a withering hail of bullets into the village. Carrying his radio on his back, he moved throughout the battle area, encouraging and inspiring his men’s fierce fight. When it became apparent that his company was combating an entire North Vietnamese Army battalion, Colonel Johnson ordered his troops to pull back, boarded his command and control helicopter and, from the air directed devastating artillery and air strikes on the enemy. He then landed and heedless of relentless hostile fire, maneuvered another element of his unit into positions surrounding the village, blocking the enemy’s escape routes. Throughout the night, Colonel Johnson adjusted the artillery, mortar and gunship fire on the enemy fortifications, and the following morning accompanied his infantrymen in a final assault against them. His gallant and exemplary leadership in close combat was responsible for an overwhelming victory over the numerically superior North Vietnamese. Lieutenant Colonel Johnson’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Headquarters, US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2247 (May 14, 1968)

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to James H. Johnson, Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 1st Infantry, Americal Division. Specialist Four Johnson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 15 March 1969 while serving as medical aidman during a combat sweep operation near Tap An Bac. As his company entered a thickly vegetated area, heavy fire erupted from a series of hostile positions. Immediately Specialist Johnson began administering medical treatment to the wounded. As the unit moved forward, the communist forces poured intense machine gun fire into the advancing ranks, wounding several including the company commander. Braving the enemy barrage, Specialist Johnson rushed to their aid. He contrived a litter on which the commander was evacuated to an ambulance helicopter. Returning to the area of conflict where enemy grenades were exploding, he continued to minister to casualties, bandaging wounds, treating for shock and aiding in the evacuation of the seriously wounded. Specialist Four Johnson’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Headquarters, US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2709 (July 17, 1969)