James E . Johnson Sergeant James Edmund Johnson ( January 1 , 1926 – December 2 , 1950 ) was posthumously awarded the United States ' highest decoration — the Medal of Honor — for his heroic lone fight on December 2 , 1950 , to cover the withdrawal of his platoon during the bitter Chosin Reservoir campaign in Korea . When last seen by his comrades he was wounded , but still engaging the enemy in close grenade and hand - to - hand combat . The enemy were wearing the uniforms of friendly troops at the time . He was listed as missing in action until January 1954 , when his status was officially changed to " presumed dead . " Sergeant Johnson , a veteran of the Peleliu and Okinawa campaigns in World War II , was the seventh Marine awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Korea . Although Sgt Johnson was serving with a provisional company of the 7th Marines when he earned the Medal of Honor , his regular outfit was the 11th Marines , the same regiment his father had served in during World War I . Biography . James Edmund Johnson was born in Pocatello , Idaho on January 1 , 1926 . He attended public schools there and played junior varsity basketball for two years in high school before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps on November 10 , 1943 . After serving in the Pacific theater during World War II and at San Diego , he was discharged on February 7 , 1946 , and returned to Pocatello , where he worked as a machinist in the Naval Ordnance plant . He also attended Western Washington College in Bellingham , Washington , before re - enlisting in the Marines on January 13 , 1948 . He embarked for Korea after a year as an instructor in post exchange accounting at the Marine Corps Institute , Marine Barracks , 8th and I Sts . , S . E . , Washington , D . C . He departed for Korea in August 1950 , just five days after the birth of his daughter . On December 2 , 1950 in Yudam - ni , Korea , Sergeant Johnson heroically fought against a disguised enemy force , allowing his unit to successfully withdraw and saving the lives of many . He was declared missing in action and as of December 2 , 1953 , his status was updated to killed in action . He was one of many who lost their lives in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir and whose remains were never recovered . The Medal of Honor was presented to his widow on March 29 , 1954 by Secretary of the Navy Robert B . Anderson . Medals of Honor were presented in the same Pentagon ceremony to the families of Sgt Daniel P . Matthews and Cpl Lee H . Phillips . James is memorialized in Arlington National Cemetery Arlington , Virginia . His cenopath grave can be found in the Memorial Section H , Lot 451 . Awards and decorations . In addition to the Medal of Honor , Sgt Johnson ’ s decorations included the Purple Heart , the Presidential Unit Citation with one bronze star ; the Korean Service Medal with three bronze stars ; the Navy Unit Commendation ; the Asiatic - Pacific Campaign Medal with two bronze stars ; the World War II Victory Medal ; and the Navy Occupation Service Medal with Asia Clasp . He is also an alumnus of Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity . Medal of Honor citation . The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to for service as set forth in the following CITATION : For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Squad Leader in a Provisional Rifle Platoon composed of Artillery men and attached to Company J , Third Battalion , Seventh Marines , First Marine Division ( Reinforced ) , in action against enemy aggressor forces at Yudam - ni , Korea , on 2 December 1950 . Vastly outnumbered by a well - entrenched and cleverly concealed enemy force wearing the uniforms of friendly troops and attacking his platoon ' s open and unconcealed positions , Sergeant Johnson unhesitatingly took charge of his platoon in the absence of the leader and exhibiting great personal valor in the face of a heavy barrage of hostile fire , coolly proceeded to move about among his men , shouting words of encouragement and inspiration and skillfully directing their fire . Ordered to displace his platoon during the fire fight , he immediately placed himself in an extremely hazardous position from which he could provide covering fire for his men . Fully aware that his voluntary action meant either certain death or capture to himself , he courageously continued to provide effective cover for his men and was last observed in a wounded condition single - handedly engaging enemy troops in close hand grenade and hand - to - hand fighting . By his valiant and inspiring leadership , Sergeant Johnson was directly responsible for the successful 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 . / S / HARRY S . TRUMAN