The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Staff Sergeant Theron Erick Johnson (ASN: 39826671), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving on a B-17 Heavy Bomber of the 305th Bombardment Group, EIGHTH Air Force, while participating on a bombing mission over enemy-occupied continental Europe on 8 March 1943. The bomber aircraft on which Sergeant Johnson was serving as right waist gunner was attacked by a force of enemy fighter airplanes. He was severely wounded in the attack, but in spite of his wounds he remained at his gun and defended his aircraft and crew. While on the return trip to a friendly air base, the crippled aircraft was again attacked. As one of the attacking airplanes came in low on the right side in an effort to finish the stricken bomber, Sergeant Johnson fired repeated bursts into the enemy airplane and sent it spinning into the sea. The courageous and heroic efforts of this soldier on this occasion, in spite of his own serious wounds, contributed materially to the successful completion of the bombing mission and the safe return of his aircraft and crew.