Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant First Class

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    15th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    November 23, 1950

    Headquarters, 3d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 381 (August 26, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Paul N. Johnson (ASN: RA-14258731), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 23 November 1950, a patrol moving along a road in the vicinity of Majon-ni, Korea, was surprised and caught in a vicious crossfire from enemy positions dug-in on the high ground bordering both sides of the road. Sergeant Johnson, seeing that the lethal fusillade had caused numerous casualties, fearlessly exposed himself to evacuate the wounded from the scene of the action. He then began directing the patrol’s counterfire and skillfully maneuvered two machine guns into locations from which they could fire effectively on the enemy positions. Knowing that reinforcements were needed to assist the beleaguered patrol, Sergeant Johnson made his way further down the road to contact a Republic of Korea Marine contingent, the original objective of his patrol. Reaching the allied troops he led them back to the engagement and positioned them to place their increased fire power on the hostile entrenchments. Directing the combined fire of both units, he enabled the troops to finally force the enemy to retreat. He then led the patrol, with its wounded, through about 14 miles of enemy infested territory to friendly lines. Sergeant Johnson’s courageous leadership and gallant aggressiveness reflect the highest credit upon himself and the military service.