The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Ensign Johnson H. Daniel, United States Navy, for heroism while serving as Safety Office on Board U.S.S. BLUE RIDGE (LCC-19) at Pusan, Korea, on 23 August 1999. While serving as the Station Safety Officer during a mooring evolution, Ensign Johnson took immediate action to save the life of and minimize injuries to a line handler whose leg was entangled in a tugboat’s messenger line. Recognizing the imminent danger to the service member, Ensign Johnson ran to the member and attempted to control the line. The violent, jerking motion of the line entrapped both members and ultimately severed the lower limbs of Ensign Daniel. By his courageous and prompt actions in the face of great personal risk, Ensign Johnson reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.