serial# 335908
Awarded the Navy Cross for actions on 20 November 1943:
"When the advance of his squad and the entire right flank of his company was held up by an enemy tank, which was in a shell hole and firing continuously from it's movable turret, Johnson, without regard for his own safety, fearlessly crawled through the fire to reach the tank, climbed to the turret and then with great coolness opened the escape hatch and dropped a grenade into the tank. With keen presence of mind he slammed the hatch and sat on it until the grenade exploded, completely knocking the tank out of action. By this daring act, at the risk of his life, he not only enabled the advance to continue, but became an inspiration to all who were in the area. Sergeant Johnson was killed later in action while fearlessly leading his men."
Clyde, Metcalf, "This Was Tarawa," Marine Corps Gazette, May 1944, p. 45-48.
Dale Young writes:
Sgt. Johnson was a platoon guide of the 3rd platoon of I Co. 3rd Bat., 2nd Marines. He was a veteran of Tulagi, Gavutu, and Guadalcanal. He was squad leader of the third squad to which I was assigned and we were in the same 4 man hut on New Zealand.
copyright 2001 T.O.T.W.
Created 23 September 2001 - Updated 8 February 2005
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