The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal William Sidney Johnson (MCSN: 2208849), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Guide with Company E, Second Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. During the early morning hours of 5 February 1968, when Company E’s defensive position on Hill 861A near Khe Sanh was attacked by an estimated two North Vietnamese Army companies utilizing mortars, grenades, automatic weapons and small arms, Corporal Johnson, with complete disregard for his own safety, immediately ran forward on three separate occasions and assisted casualties to a safe area. Subsequently, when enemy soldiers penetrated the company’s defensive perimeter, Corporal Johnson obtained two cases of grenades and distributed them to his platoon. Then, as his unit launched a counterattack, he aggressively moved forward and personally killed two North Vietnamese in hand-to-hand combat. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in repulsing the enemy force. By his courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of intense enemy fire, Corporal Johnson upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.