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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain [then Commander] Frank Lesher Johnson (NSN: 0-63186), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. PURDY (DD-734), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 6 April 1945. When the U.S.S. MULLANY was abandoned after being severely damaged during an enemy suicide attack, Captain Johnson made the final decision to place his ship alongside despite the presence of enemy planes, in an attempt to put out the serious fires raging close to the stricken ship’s after magazines. Undaunted by the imminent danger that the magazines might explode at any moment, he carried out successful measures to extinguish the flames, thereby making possible the salvage of a valuable combatant unit of our Fleet. His outstanding leadership and courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    U.S.S. Fletcher (DD-445)

    Action Date:

    February 11, 1943
    Commander South Pacific: Serial 1442 May 5, 1943

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Frank Lesher Johnson (NSN: 0-63186), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. FLETCHER (DD-445), during a successful attack upon an enemy Japanese submarine in South Pacific waters on 11 February 1943. Establishing sound contact at an initial range of 2,900 yards after a cruiser patrol plane had located the hostile vessel, Lieutenant Commander Johnson, by skillful direction, dropped a nine-charge pattern on a deliberate approach. Within a period of eleven minutes following the rapid detonations, three violent explosions erupted large quantities of debris to the surface and left an immense oil slick as positive evidence of the destruction of the enemy submarine. Lieutenant Commander Johnson’s keen judgment and outstanding efficiency were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Rear Admiral Frank Lesher Johnson (NSN: 0-63186), United States Navy, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 320 (November 1943)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Commander Frank Lesher Johnson (NSN: 0-63186), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during World War II. As Commanding Officer of a warship in the Solomon Islands, Lieutenant Commander Johnson helped disrupt numerous air attacks and attacked and sank a submarine. In two night bombardment operations against Munda, his ship led the task group into position. He brought his vessel through a series of fierce engagements without damage.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain [then Commander]

    Division:

    U.S.S. Purdy (DD-734)

    Action Date:

    April 12, 1945

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Captain [then Commander] Frank Lesher Johnson (NSN: 0-63186), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. PURDY (DD-734), in action against enemy Japanese forces off Okinawa, on 12 April 1945. Maintaining Radar Picket Station Number ONE approximately 50 miles north of an important Japanese transport area, Captain Johnson aggressively met the sudden challenge of seven vicious suicide planes, and struck furiously at each plunging craft, shooting down four planes, assisting in the destruction of two more and damaging another. Stoutly determined to save his ship despite the severe damage inflicted during the final phase of the action, he gallantly directed his crew in restoring the PURDY to maximum combat efficiency. A daring and forceful leader in the face of overwhelming opposition, Captain Johnson, by his expert seamanship and professional skill, heroically brought the PURDY to port under her own power. His outstanding leadership and courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.