Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant [then Corporal]

    Regiment:

    23d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    2d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    April 10, 1951

    Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 174 (June 16, 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 [then Corporal] Paul E. Johnston (ASN: RA-15357856), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of the Medical Company, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 10 April 1951, in the vicinity of Hwachon, Korea. On that date he was a medical aidman attached to the lead platoon in an infantry unit, while that unit was leading an attack just north of the 38th parallel. In the opening phase of the battle a rifleman in the platoon was stuck in the stomach by enemy machine gun fire. The company executive officer made his way to the injured man, but while endeavoring to move him to safety was in turn struck down by enemy fire. Sergeant Johnston rushed to the spot where the fallen men lay and in spite of the heavy volume of enemy fire directed at him, managed to carry one of the wounded men out of the immediate danger zone. He then made a return trip to assist two other men in evacuating the other wounded men. The gallantry displayed by Sergeant Johnston reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.