The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Joe V. Johnson (MCSN: 2350594), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-FOUR (HMM-364), Marine Aircraft Group Sixteen, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 8 March 1970, Corporal Johnson launched from the Marble Mountain Air Facility as Crew Chief aboard the second aircraft in a flight of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned to proceed to Landing Zone BALDY and engaged in re-supply missions in support of a Marine regiment operating in Quang Nam Province. When extremely adverse weather conditions forced his aircraft to be maneuvered at fifty feet above the ground, he stationed himself at the starboard door to man a mini-gun. After his flight had flown inland approximately five miles, his CH-46 suddenly came under a heavy volume of hostile fire, several rounds of which penetrated the cockpit. Alertly pinpointing the source of enemy fire, Corporal Johnson delivered such an accurate burst of fire that four hostile soldiers were killed and the enemy fire silenced. An instant later, his helicopter nosed over and began to move sideways in an unstable flight condition. Reacting instantly, Corporal Johnson moved into the cockpit where he discovered that his pilot had been mortally wounded and was slumped over his controls. Turning to the copilot who, although seriously wounded, had assumed control of the aircraft. Corporal Johnson found that his visor and instruments were covered with blood. Rapidly wiping the visor and gauges, he then aided the copilot in leveling the aircraft. Running to the rear of the CH-46, Corporal Johnson checked for serious battle damage and, after determining that there was none, returned to the cockpit where he immediately manned a radio to report the condition of his aircraft to his base. With exceptional skill, he then monitored the gauges for the copilot and navigated the helicopter to the hospital at DaNang. After landing, he shut down the aircraft and assisted the copilot out of the cockpit. His valiant and timely actions were instrumental in saving both his aircraft and the lives of the remainder of his crew. By his courage, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, Corporal Johnson upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.