335908
Awarded the Navy Cross 20 November 1943.
"When the advance of his squad and the entire right flank of his compnay 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 grenagd 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.
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copyright 2001 Wheaton, Illinois
Created 23 September 2001
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