The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Coast Guard Medal to Chief Damage Controlman John Emil Johnson, United States Coast Guard, for heroic conduct on April 8, 1966, while serving on board the U.S.C.G.C. COOK INLET [WHEC-384] when he boarded the burning and abandoned Norwegian passenger vessel VIKING PRINCESS to search for 40 missing survivors. When advised of the disaster, the COOK INLET departed Guantanamo Bay to assist the Norwegian ship, afire in the vicinity of Windward Passage. Upon arrival, finding the ship burning violently and apparently abandoned, Johnson promptly volunteered as a member of a boarding party to search the vessel for survivors. Despite dense smoke and heat so intense that patches of paint on the outside were bursting into flame, he boarded and assisted in searching all accessible spaces above and below decks, including the infirmary areas and crew quarters. The boarding party remained aboard the flaming hulk for more than 20 minutes, executing a vigorous search until ascertaining that there was practically no chance that any living survivor remained aboard the VIKING PRINCESS. Thereafter, when warned that the fire was advancing under them along the lower decks, the boarding party withdrew. Johnson demonstrated initiative, fortitude, and daring in spite of imminent personal danger during the entire operation. His unselfish actions, courage, and unwavering devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United Sates Coast Guard.