Evening star., 1951-12-04
| Missing D. {. Marine
Wins Medal Of Honor
For Korean Heroism
By John A. Giles

Il oy Jonn n. 0lteS
/ The Marine Corps today an
nounced award of the Medal of
Honor to Sergt. James E. johnson
of 1900 Third street N.E.-the first
IWashingtn resident to win the
Nations highest military decora-
Ition in the Korean war.
The sergeant. who made a
heoric lone stand in deliberately
engaging the enemy in hand-to-
hand combat SO that his rifle pla-
toon could withdraw safely, was
wounded and presumably cap
tured on December 2, 1850, near
Yudam-ni in North Korea.
Gen. Clifton B. Gates, Marine
Corps commandant, told Sergt.
Johnson's wife, Mrs. Mary Jeanne
johnson, an employe of the In
ternational Bank for Reconstruct
ton and Development, that. the
award was being made lin alb
sentia" in the hope that the SER
geant will be available for pre-
sentation at some time in the near
future"
Son of Former Marine.
Segt. johnson is the son of John
D. johnson of Pocatello, Idaho,
who served in the Marine Corps
during World War I. His mother,
Mrs. Juanita Hart, lives in San
Diago, Calf.
The sergeant, the seventh Ma
rine to win the Nations highest
military decoration in the Korean
war, left for Korea five days after
the birth Of his daughter Steph-
anie, now Is months old.
The medal itself was not pre-
sented to Mrs. Johnson. Instead,
Gen. Gates said his Office would
hold 1t for her husband with the
hope that he will be available for
presentation of the award at some
time in the near future"
Pressed Into Infantry Duty.
Sergt. johnson was an artlllery-
many. one of many pressed into
infantry duty as the Marines re-
grouped to begin their breakout
from the Chosin reservoir.
Although the decoration was
given for action with provisional
rifle company of the 7th Marine
Regiment. Sergt. Johnson's regu-
lar outfit was the 11th Marine
Regiment, the same in which his
father-also a Marine sergeant
fought in World War I.
Mrs. johnson, formerly of
Salisbury. Md, lives with her
mother, Mrs. Jeanne T. Wright,
here.
She said that the award made
her very proud"
II told him not to be a hero
just to come home" she said
And this is what happened.
If Jim doesn't return, then at
least the medal is something the
baby can be proud of, too, when
she grows older"
Gallantry Is Cited.
The citation noted that the
enemy soldiers attacking Sergt.
Johnson's platoon wore Allied uni
forms and stated:
For conspicuous gallantry and
intrepedity at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty
while serving as a squad leader
lin a provisional rifle platoon COM
posed Of artillerymen and at
tached to Company j, Sd Bat
!; talon, 7th Marines, 1st Marine
Division (reinforced), in action
against enemy aggressor forces at
Yudam-ni, Korea, on 2 December,
1850.
Vastly outnumbered by a well
entrenched and cleverly concealed
enemy force wearing the uniforms
of friendly troops and attacking
his platoon's open and uncon-
cealed positions. Sergt. johnson
unhesitatingly took charge of his
platoon in the absence of the lead
er and. exhibiting great personal
valor in the face of a heavy bar
rage 70 hostile fire. coolly pro-
iceeded to move about his men,
shouting words of announcement
and inspiration and skillfully di-
recting their fire.
/ Johnson Covered His Men.
Ordered to displace his platoon
during the first fire. he immedi-
ately placed himself in an ex-
tremely hazardous position from
which he could provide covering
/ fire for his men. Fully aware that
his voluntary action meant either
certain death or capture of him
self. he courageously continued to
provide effective cover for his
men and was last observed In a
wounded condition singlehandedly
engaging enemy troops in close
hand-grenade and hand-to-hand
fighting.
by his valiant and inspiring
leadership, Sergt. johnson was
directly responsible for the sue
cessfui completion of the platoon's
displacement and the saving of
many lives. His dauntless fighting
spirit and unfaltering devotion to
duty in the face of terrific odds
reflect the highest credit upon
himself and the United States
Naval service"
Australian RntfnIion