The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Marshall Buhl Johnson (ASN: 0-95993), United States Army, for gallantry in action. Captain Johnson distinguished himself by gallantry In action on 18 May 1967 while serving as Senior Advisor of the 9th Airborne Battalion, Army of the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Captain Johnson was advising the battalion in an offensive operation against suspected North Vietnam Army positions. Reacting immediately, Captain Johnson requested air strikes and supporting artillery, and then assisted the battalion commander in mounting an attack. As the lead companies moved to the attack they were stopped by a mine field, intense automatic weapons, and small arms fire. At this time, Captain Johnson, with complete disregard for his personal safety and openly exposed to the enemy fire, moved across the fire-swept area to an exposed vantage point from where he could direct suppressive aerial strikes on the enemy. As the enemy resistance increased, the Vietnamese offensive stalled. Realizing the immediate need to reactivate the assault, Captain Johnson, together with his counterpart, organized a second attack. During this assault his counterpart was wounded and fell exposed to the hostile fire. Heedless of the vicious enemy fire, Captain Johnson moved to his aid and carried him back to a point of relative safety. Throughout the engagement, even though wounded himself in the latter stages of the battle, Captain Johnson valiantly continued to subject himself to the hostile fire to aid in the evacuation of wounded and the direction and coordination of air strikes. As a direct result of Captain Johnson’s courage and professionalism under fire, a determined North Vietnamese Army force was defeated and a significant victory was achieved by the 9th Battalion. Captain Johnson’s conspicuous gallantry In action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major (Infantry) Marshall Buhl Johnson (ASN: 0-95993), United States Army, for gallantry In action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, in the Republic of Vietnam, on 13 May 1969. At approximately 0330 hours on the cited date, Fire Support Base AIRBORNE was assaulted from three sides by a North Vietnamese Sapper Battalion which was reinforced by a mortar company. In the initial assault, the perimeter was breached in two places, allowing the enemy sappers access to the main portion of the fire base. This resulted in the disabling of the Infantry Platoon Command Post and also the one hundred five millimeter artillery fire direction control in that area. This made the coordination of the defense of the fire base extremely difficult as the attack progressed. Major Johnson, senior officer on the fire base, voluntarily moved to an unprotected position outside the Battalion Command Post to appraise the situation and to coordinate actions necessary to repel the enemy. In spite of a heavy volume of small arms and mortar fire and numerous satchel charges being thrown by the enemy, he remained in position to control and coordinate the defense of the base. As a direct result of his courageous actions and calm coordination and direction, the enemy force was halted and forced to withdraw. He remained at his position as reinforcements arrived at daylight. He coordinated the utilization of these forces in a reconnaissance in force toward the withdrawing enemy. Results of the action revealed thirty-five North Vietnamese Army casualties, eighteen individual weapons, and over two hundred pounds of unexploded satchel charges on and around the fire base. Major Johnson’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.