The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Chief Boatswain William Harold Johnson (NSN: 100497), United States Navy, for exceptional courage, presence of mind, and devotion to duty and extreme disregard for his personal safety while serving on board the Minesweeper U.S.S. HERON (AM-10), during operations in Dutch East Indies on 31 December 1941, when his ship was attacked by 15 hostile planes of different types. During protracted air attacks delivered against the U.S.S. HERON on 31 December 1941, the ship being attacked by an overwhelming number of enemy aircraft of various types using bombs and torpedoes, he discharged his duties as After Machine Gun Battery Officer in a most efficient and commendable manner. He manned his machine gun after ordering the personnel of his battery to take cover while bombs were falling, and carried on in his action duties while seriously wounded. Such action contributed not only to the survival of the ship but also to the fact that effective losses were sustained by the enemy aircraft. Chief Boatswain’s Johnson’s conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States.