The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Paul H. Johnson (ASN: 16175785), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action against the enemy on 9 June 1944, about one and one-half miles from Le Ham, France. Staff Sergeant Johnson, Squad Leader, Company E, was assigned a position on the main left flank of his company. There his squad was subjected to heavy cross fire from mortars and machine guns, but Staff Sergeant Johnson maintained his squad in position and prevented the enemy from flanking the company and winning the high ground. When anticipated orders to move his position did not arrive, Staff Sergeant Johnson returned through heavy fire to the company command post, only to find that all of the officer personnel had become casualties. He immediately re-established the command post, notified the battalion commander that Company E was still in the line, and returned to his squad, again under heavy fire, and moved them to a more tenable position. Again Staff Sergeant Johnson went forward and brought back several dead and injured men of his platoon. The initiative, leadership and courage under fire displayed by Staff Sergeant Johnson were a source of inspiration to all the men of his command, and exemplify the highest traditions of the Infantry soldier.