The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Merlin E. Johnson (ASN: RA-11109347), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, on 16 July 1950, near Taip-yong-ni, Korea. The enemy succeeded in killing a tank crew of an American tank that had been supporting Company B’s position along the Kum River. After killing the crew the enemy then proceeded to use the tank against the position of Company B. At this time, Private First Class Johnson and two comrades took a 3.5 rocket launcher, while under cross machine gun and rifle fire, carried it 400 yards to a position about 50 yards from the American tank. Even though all these men were wounded when they reached this position they succeeded in knocking out the tank and denying its use to the enemy. Private First Class Johnson’s outstanding courage and his devotion to duty reflects the highest credit on himself and the military service.