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 pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Marshall Buhl Johnson (ASN: 0-95993), United States Army, for gallantry in action. Captain Johnson distinguished himself by gallantry In action on 18 May 1967 while serving as Senior Advisor of the 9th Airborne Battalion, Army of the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Captain Johnson was advising the battalion in an offensive operation against suspected North Vietnam Army positions. Reacting immediately, Captain Johnson requested air strikes and supporting artillery, and then assisted the battalion commander in mounting an attack. As the lead companies moved to the attack they were stopped by a mine field, intense automatic weapons, and small arms fire. At this time, Captain Johnson, with complete disregard for his personal safety and openly exposed to the enemy fire, moved across the fire-swept area to an exposed vantage point from where he could direct suppressive aerial strikes on the enemy. As the enemy resistance increased, the Vietnamese offensive stalled. Realizing the immediate need to reactivate the assault, Captain Johnson, together with his counterpart, organized a second attack. During this assault his counterpart was wounded and fell exposed to the hostile fire. Heedless of the vicious enemy fire, Captain Johnson moved to his aid and carried him back to a point of relative safety. Throughout the engagement, even though wounded himself in the latter stages of the battle, Captain Johnson valiantly continued to subject himself to the hostile fire to aid in the evacuation of wounded and the direction and coordination of air strikes. As a direct result of Captain Johnson’s courage and professionalism under fire, a determined North Vietnamese Army force was defeated and a significant victory was achieved by the 9th Battalion. Captain Johnson’s conspicuous gallantry In action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.

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 pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Major (Infantry) Marshall Buhl Johnson (ASN: 0-95993), United States Army, for gallantry in action in the Republic of Vietnam, on 13 July 1969. Major Johnson distinguished himself while serving as S-3 in the 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). At approximately 1500 hours on the cited date, Major Johnson was attempted to land at an Army of the Republic of Vietnam secured landing zone near the Laotian border, which had been in heavy contact for several days. Just before the aircraft touched down, the enemy opened fire with recoilless rifle, small arms, and automatic weapons fire. The first round hit the left side of the aircraft, seriously wounding the pilot and several others in the aircraft. Despite the close proximity of the impacting shells, Major Johnson helped extract the wounded personnel from the aircraft and assisted in carrying the seriously wounded pilot approximately seventy-five meters into a woodline. At the risk of his own life, he returned to the aircraft with rounds impacting close by and attempted to shut off the engine. After insuring that the casualties were safe in foxholes in the area, he moved through the wooded area amidst the exploding rounds, secured a radio, and began directing artillery fire on the enemy positions. He also helped to coordinate the aerial rocket artillery strikes against the insurgents. With the task completed, he stayed on the radio and directed the evacuation of the wounded personnel. Major Johnson’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.