Victor E. Johnson

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star Medal to Victor E. Johnson (0-34367), First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with a Marine Service Battalion of the FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in Hagaru-ri, Korea, on the night of 29 to 30 November 1950. First Lieutenant Johnson, with his Division Salvage Section, was occupying a hastily organized and lightly defended sector of the Hagaru-ri perimeter which was being subjected to intense enemy mortar fire. As the main enemy efforts developed, overrunning an outpost a few yards in front of his lines, friendly troops came running down the steep slopes leading to his position followed at a few feet by enemy soldiers armed with automatic weapons and grenades. Despite the heavy fire and darkness, First Lieutenant Johnson, completely disregarding his own safety, stood by one of his sand-bagged gun emplacements and identified the Marines until the last one had entered the perimeter. Then, with skilled accuracy, he threw several grenades into a closely following group of the enemy, silencing their automatic weapons and averting a break-through. For a period of several hours, he continued to direct the defense of his sub-sector. His constant circulation among his men and inspiring display of outstanding courage contributed materially toward enabling his platoon to successfully defend their sub-sector of the perimeter. First Lieutenant Johnson’s heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.