The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Warrant Officer One (WO-1) Lawrence E. Johnson (ASN: W-3157822), United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with the 189th Assault Helicopter Company, 1st Aviation Brigade, on 12 June 1968, in the Republic of Vietnam. Warrant Officer Johnson distinguished himself by valorous actions while serving as the Aircraft Commander of a troop carrying helicopter that was called to rescue a friendly ground unit in heavy contact with the enemy west of Dak To. He boldly approached the landing zone under heavy enemy fire and proceeded to hover adeptly to lower ropes for the extraction of four personnel. Enemy fire concentration was so heavy that strikes by Air Force “Skyraiders” failed to greatly decrease it previous to Warrant Officer Johnson’s approach. The supporting helicopter gunships then made firing passes which failed to suppress enemy fire or to cover his approach. Nevertheless, he courageously made his sorties into the landing zone in support of the marooned unit. Without Warrant Officer Johnson’s fearless determination to rescue the surrounded unit, they would have been annihilated. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.