The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Julius Charles Johnson (MCSN: 2075579), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Fire Team Leader Company C, First Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Gia Linh District, Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam. On 24 September 1966, Corporal Johnson’s squad was providing rear security for a tank convoy when they were ambushed by a well concealed North Vietnamese force. In the initial burst of fire one of the tanks received a heavy volume of automatic weapons, small arms and anti-tank fire, mortally wounding the driver. As the squad moved to the rear of the last tank to allow fire to be brought on the enemy positions, they were subjected to intense automatic weapons fire and grenade attack which inflicted heavy casualties, including the Platoon Sergeant. Although wounded by grenade fragments, Corporal Johnson immediately took control of the squad, rallied it around the wounded Marines, and directed their fire, while he threw grenades into the enemy emplacements. After expending his own grenades, he unhesitatingly and selflessly exposed himself to enemy fire to gather more grenades and ammunition from the wounded, and continued to direct the squad until they were safely evacuated. His bold initiative and heroic actions, helped prevent his squad from sustaining further casualties and accounted for four enemy dead. By his inspiring leadership, brave initiative in the face of great personal danger, and unfaltering dedication to duty, Corporal Johnson upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.