Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    7th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    March 31, 1951

    Headquarters, 3d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 185 (June 12, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Corporal Eldon J. Johnston (ASN: RA-16334321), United States Army, for heroic achievement during ground operations against a hostile force as a member of Company I, 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 31 March 1951, near Tongduchon-ni, Korea, units of Company I were pinned down by intense enemy small arms fire while assaulting Hill 587. Corporal Johnston, a member of the Weapons Squad, determined the location of the enemy and dashed into an open field in full view of the enemy in order to set up his machine gun and return fire upon the enemy. Observing the enemy throwing grenades into the pinned down unit’s area, he shouted a warning each time one was hurled, thereby preventing many casualties. Delivering heavy and accurate fire from his machine gun, Corporal Johnston destroyed the enemy position, killing one enemy soldier and causing the remainder to withdraw and enabling the company to continue its advance. The heroism and initiative displayed by Corporal Johnston reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    7th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    May 4, 1951

    Headquarters, 3d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 260 (July 8, 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 Corporal Eldon J. Johnston (ASN: RA-16334321), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company I, 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. On 4 May 1951, near Hyonchang-ni, Korea, Company I was in an assault to secure its objective, Hill 372, when the 1st Platoon became pinned down by devastating enemy machine gun fire. Realizing that the important objective could not be taken until the hostile emplacement’s field of fire had been neutralized, Corporal Johnston, voluntarily, left his position and charged up the steep incline directly in the face of withering fire. Throwing hand grenades as he went, he killed four enemy soldiers and successfully destroyed the machine gun emplacement. Corporal Johnston’s elimination of the strong enemy opposition enabled the company to continue its advance and seize the objective. The gallant disregard for his own life in the performance of duty displayed by Corporal Johnston reflects the highest credit upon himself and the military service.