The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private First Class Harold Irving Johnston (ASN: 2202872), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 9 November 1918, while serving with Company A, 356th Infantry, 89th Division, in action at Pouilly, France. When information was desired as to the enemy’s position on the opposite side of the Meuse River, Sergeant Johnston, with another soldier, volunteered without hesitation and swam the river to reconnoiter the exact location of the enemy. He succeeded in reaching the opposite bank, despite the evident determination of the enemy to prevent a crossing. Having obtained his information, he again entered the water for his return. This was accomplished after a severe struggle which so exhausted him that he had to be assisted from the water, after which he rendered his report of the exploit.