The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Edmund E. Johnson, Jr. (MCSN: 0-56939), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Platoon Commander of Company G, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 24 July 1953. When his main battle position was subjected to murderous enemy mortar and artillery fire while supporting an outpost that was under enemy attack, Second Lieutenant Johnson fearlessly exposed himself to the deadly fire to insure the expeditious evacuation of casualties and to check on his men’s positions. Although twice thrown to the ground by the dangerously close explosions of enemy shells, he continued to move about the area to direct his men and to insure that disrupted communications were rapidly restored. When a machine gunner became a casualty, he quickly manned the weapon and delivered effective fire upon the enemy. By his aggressive fighting spirit, courageous leadership and unwavering devotion to duty, Second Lieutenant Johnson served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.