Johnnie R. Grubbs

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Johnnie R. Grubbs, United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against the enemy in Korea as Pilot of a B-26 Bomber in the 13th Bombardment Squadron, FAR EAST Air Forces, on 9 January 1952. On that date, Lieutenant Grubbs flew under low overcast on an armed reconnaissance over the heavily defended supply route between the towns of Namsi and Chongju. Although he was exposed to automatic weapons fire, he pressed repeated bombing and strafing attacks until a total of ten boxcars, five warehouses and three vehicles were destroyed by fire and explosion. Turning his attention to the enemy gun positions which were firing on him, he silenced 14 anti-aircraft batteries and destroyed four by explosion. At the completion of these devastating attacks, automatic weapons fire from the remaining gun position struck the aircraft, with one shell piercing the canopy and exploding in Lieutenant Grubbs’ face. Despite a severe head wound which blinded his left eye, he destroyed the battery with his forward-firing guns before climbing to a safe altitude. Intermittently blind and suffering shock, Lieutenant Grubbs flew his aircraft to his home base, aided by instructions from the navigator. Lieutenant Grubbs’ actions reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.