The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal William D. Johnson, Jr. (MCSN: 2357895), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company B, First Reconnaissance Battalion, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. On 23 June 1968, Corporal Johnson was the Assistant Patrol Leader of a sixteen-man patrol assigned to conduct reconnaissance and surveillance operations from an observation post on Hill 344 in Quang Nam Province. During the night and early morning hours of 24 and 26 June, his unit’s defensive perimeter came under repeated attacks by numerically superior enemy forces. Throughout the ensuing fire fights, he fearlessly moved about the fire-swept terrain directing the fire of his men as they successfully repulsed the attackers. On the evening of 28 June, when over 100 hostile soldiers attacked his sector of the perimeter, Corporal Johnson effectively utilized the illumination from flare ships to deliver a heavy volume of fire against the advancing force. Ignoring the intense automatic weapons fire and hand grenades, he boldly stood up to observe the hostile soldiers preparing for a massive assault. Quickly assessing the situation, he requested helicopter gunships to assist in repulsing the attack and, although the enemy breached the perimeter wire, he calmly directed the fire of his men and assisted the patrol leader in adjusting supporting fire to within ten meters of his position, forcing the enemy to flee in panic and confusion. By his courage, bold initiative and selfless devotion to duty in the face of extreme peril, Corporal Johnson inspired all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.