The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Armor) John R. Johnston, Jr. (ASN: 0-5023201), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Troop C, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 1st Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Johnston distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 25 and 26 August 1966 while commanding an armored cavalry platoon during a search and destroy mission near Lai Khe. When an intense engagement erupted with a large Viet Cong unit, Lieutenant Johnston was ordered to reinforce another cavalry platoon which was vastly outnumbered. After leading his vehicles through the dense rain forest to the besieged unit, he immediately deployed his vehicles to bring maximum fire on the insurgent positions. As Lieutenant Johnston dauntlessly maneuvered the platoon, his armored vehicle was immobilized by two recoilless rifle hits, which wounded several crew members. He quickly administered aid to the casualties and directed their evacuation. Unable to establish communications with the rest of the platoon, he fearlessly ran thorough a hail of bullets and exploding mortar rounds to another armored vehicle. Discovering the radio inoperable, Lieutenant Johnston again ignored the extreme dangers and left the vehicle to direct the defense. Contemptuous of the devastating hostile fire which claimed casualties all around him, he darted among the tracks shouting orders and encouragement. When the enemy briefly broke contact, Lieutenant Johnston organized both platoons into a tenable perimeter. Moving around the area under sporadic sniper fire, he supervised the extraction of the wounded and redistributed supplies. Throughout the eighteen hours, his unimpeachable valor and dynamic leadership inspired his men to resist every hostile attack, finally forcing the insurgents to retreat into the jungle. First Lieutenant Johnston’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.