Edmund E. Johnson, Jr.

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Edmund E. Johnson, Jr. (0-56939), Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with a Marine Infantry Company of the FIRST Marine Division (Rein), FMF, in Korea, on 24 July 1953. Serving as a Platoon commander, Second Lieutenant Johnson displayed outstanding courage, initiative and devotion to duty. While his platoon was supporting by direct fire an outpost position that was being assaulted by the enemy, his main battery position was subjected to murderous enemy mortar and artillery fire. Expressing complete disregard for his personal safety, he gallantly exposed himself to the deadly hostile fire in order to insure the expeditious evacuation of the platoon’s casualties and to check on the welfare of his men. Despite having been twice thrown to the ground by the dangerously close explosions of hostile shells, he courageously continued to tour his position in order to keep close contact with his men, insure that the automatic weapons were continuously manned, and that communications were rapidly restored when disrupted. When a machine gunner became a casualty and there was no replacement immediately available, he skillfully manned the weapon and fired at targets of opportunity that were delivering fire upon friendly positions. His intrepid efforts, indomitable spirit and remarkable resourcefulness under fire served as an inspiration to all who observed him. Second Lieutenant Johnson’s gallant and courageous actions combined with his determined aggressiveness were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.