The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Clayton W. Johnson (ASN: 0-5329364/RA-16812346), United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 26 May 1967. On that date First Lieutenant Johnson distinguished himself by heroic action while serving as a Platoon Leader in Company C, 3d Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, which was conducting a search and destroy operation along the Cambodian border. Company C became engaged with a North Vietnamese Army force estimated at battalion size. Quickly grasping the implications of the situation, First Lieutenant Johnson deployed his platoon and began to engage the enemy. Repeatedly exposing himself to enemy fire, he moved up and down the lines directing his men and encouraging their efforts. As the battle continued, he countered every enemy thrust and attacked every enemy weakness. Due to his mastery of the circumstances, his platoon was able to repulse a major enemy onslaught. As the battle raged, First Lieutenant Johnson learned that his Company Commander had been mortally wounded and that he was the only unwounded officer left in the company. Leaving a non-commissioned officer in charge of his platoon,. He made his way to the company command post and assumed command. Swiftly and correctly evaluating the conflict from a higher tactical viewpoint, he ordered his acting platoon leaders to regroup their platoons and form a more cohesive perimeter. The enemy held a nearby hill and dominated the battlefield with two machine guns placed on its crest. Realizing that whoever held the hill held the key to victory, First Lieutenant Johnson gave orders for an assault. When the advance was temporarily halted by fire from the tenacious enemy, he rushed from his position of safety and took charge of the assault himself. First Lieutenant Johnson’s personal example inspired his men; they rallied and renewed their assault with increased vigor. As they neared their objective he skillfully directed a moving curtain of artillery fire ahead of his troops and into the enemy positions. Displaying true leadership, he moved and fought alongside his men and was personally responsible for the demise of several enemy troops. It was in the course of this display of gallantry that he was mortally wounded by a rocket burst. But his daring efforts had given his men the impetus they needed to over power and defeat the enemy. First Lieutenant Johnson’s matchless leadership and indomitable courage are in keeping with the noblest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit and the United States Army.