The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Donald W. Johnson (MCSN: 982556), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Mortar Crewman of Company K, Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 5 May 1945. When the section commander of the mortar section became a casualty, Private First Class Johnson assumed command and established an observation post in a position from which he could accurately observe and direct the fire of his mortars. Fearlessly exposing himself to deadly hostile small-arms fire in order to bring mortar fire to bear upon the enemy, he enabled his company to advance and accomplish its mission. When he was wounded by fragments from an exploding enemy mortar shell, he refused to be evacuated and continued to command the mortar section. His courageous leadership and unswerving devotion to duty throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.