Charles F. Johnson

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Charles F. Johnson (0-1925417), Second Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with an Infantry Company of the 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Second Lieutenant Johnson distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Samichon, Korea, on the night of 21 March 1953. On that date, Lieutenant Johnson was in charge of a support group to an Allied patrol which had been surrounded by the enemy. As he moved his men forward to aid the surrounded patrol, it was subjected to a three-pronged attack by the enemy. Shouting words of encouragement and directing fire, Lieutenant Johnson employed his men in such a manner as to inflict heavy casualties on the enemy. When their ammunition was expended, Lieutenant Johnson withdrew his command back toward the main body of United Nations troops, personally killing nine enemy soldiers by effective use of hand grenades and bayonet. After reorganizing his group with the main force, Lieutenant Johnson led them in a spirited attack against the hostile troops and engaged in bitter hand-to-hand combat until the enemy was repulsed. On the following morning he then volunteered to aid in the evacuation of the dead and wounded. While he was engaged in this activity, Lieutenant Johnson was mortally wounded.
Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 720 (August 3, 1953)

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Charles F. Johnson, Boatswain’s Mate Second Class, U.S. Coast Guard, for gallantry and intrepidity in action as a member of a salvage boat crew attached to the U.S.S. CAVALIER (APA-37) while participating in assault landings against the enemy in Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, Philippine Islands on 9 January 1945. Facing intense enemy mortar fire Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Johnson displayed exceptional courage, skill, initiative and devotion to duty while aiding in the salvage of numerous landing craft stranded on the beach. Disregarding his own safety and under continuous enemy fire, he unhesitatingly plunged onto the water and assisted in the rescue of a man who had been hurled over board by the explosion of an enemy shell.