Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to Colonel (Infantry) Jesse Loftis Johnson (ASN: 0-5344800), United States Army, for exceptionally superior achievement as Commander, Special Operations Command Central, United States Central Command, King Khalid Military City, Saudi Arabia, from 10 August 1990 to 19 April 1991. Colonel Johnson’s inspiring leadership directly contributed to the overwhelming success of United States joint/combined operations in Southwest Asia during Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. Faced with an unprecedented global and regional challenge for the United States and Coalition military forces, he took charge of over 10,000 United States and Coalition Special Operations Forces during the course of these campaigns. Through his knowledge, skill and insight into joint/combined military actions, he directed the full spectrum of special operations in the Kuwait theater of operations. During this, the largest combined naval, ground and air campaign conducted by United States forces since World War II, he guided the Special Operations Forces of the United States, as well as those of more than 25 coalition countries, including the Kuwait resistance, to total victory over Iraq. The distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Johnson reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Army, and the Department of Defense.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
-
Distinguished Service Cross
-
Silver Star
-
Silver Star
-
Soldier’s Medal
-
Legion of Merit
-
Silver Star
-
Legion of Merit
-
Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Infantry)Batallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
39th Infantry Regiment, 1st BrigadeDivision:
9th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
July 23 – 24, 1968
Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 4771 (October 14, 1968)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 Captain (Infantry) Jesse Loftis Johnson (ASN: 0-5344800), 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 Company C, 2d Battalion, 39th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 9th Infantry Division. Captain Johnson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 23 and 24 July 1968 while commanding an infantry company during a reconnaissance-in-force operation in Long An Province. His company was lifted by helicopter to join in a fierce fire fight with an estimated Viet Cong battalion. Captain Johnson asked to be inserted at the point of heaviest contact, and ran a hundred meters through intense machine gun fire to reach his lead element. Rallying his men, he led them in an assault against an enemy bunker complex which destroyed three bunkers, killed eight communists, and forced the remaining Viet Cong in the area to flee. By continuing to press the enemy, he freed other elements which had been pinned down by hostile fire. As darkness fell Captain Johnson’s company was inserted into a new area. After directing the landing of a sister company under constant fire and moving three hundred meters across fire-swept rice paddies to assist in the deployment of its men, he organized a rescue party to aid a downed helicopter crew. Leading his small group through intense infested territory, he successfully evacuated the dead and wounded from the craft. Later that night, Captain Johnson directed movement on the edge of his company’s perimeter. Advancing alone, he encountered three armed Viet Cong whom he slew in a brief fire fight. Seeing an enemy platoon forming for an assault on his position, he called in artillery which forced the aggressors back, but also wounded him. Refusing evacuation, he remained with his company through the night to direct its defense and insure the safety of his men. At daybreak he led his troops against the entrapped enemy force, crushing its resistance. He was then ordered by his battalion commander to leave his unit and receive medical attention. Captain Johnson’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.
-
Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Infantry)Batallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
39th Infantry RegimentDivision:
9th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
June 23, 1968
Headquarters, 9th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 7341 (August 20, 1968)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Jesse Loftis Johnson (ASN: 0-5344800), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Johnson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 23 June 1968, while serving as Commanding Officer of Company C, 2d Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, on an airmobile assault mission near Long Hiep. Captain Johnson first led his company on an assault through the enemy’s flank to effect a link-up with another company. Taking operational control of both companies, Captain Johnson then arranged for the evacuation of all casualties, including the other company’s commanding officer, and led his men against the enemy for the next 18 hours. Captain Johnson’s extraordinary heroism in close combat against a Viet Cong force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division and the United States Army.
-
Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Infantry)Batallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
39th Infantry RegimentDivision:
9th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
June 25, 1968
Headquarters, 9th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 7478 (August 26, 1968)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Jesse Loftis Johnson (ASN: 0-5344800), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Johnson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 25 June 1968, while serving as Commanding Officer of Company C, 2d Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division.
-
Soldier’s Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Infantry)Batallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
39th Infantry RegimentDivision:
9th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
July 7, 1968
Headquarters, 9th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 7496 (August 26, 1968)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier’s Medal to Captain (Infantry) Jesse Loftis Johnson (ASN: 0-5344800), United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Johnson distinguished himself by valorous actions on 7 July 1968, while serving as Commanding Officer of Company C, 2d Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, on a reconnaissance in force mission in Long An Province. The point man in the lead element of his company had started to wade across a canal, and had reached a point 40 meters from shore when he was swept off his feet and pulled below the surface by the swift undercurrent. Completely disregarding his own safety, Captain Johnson immediately shed his equipment and dove into the water. Fighting the swift current, Captain Johnson reached the now unconscious man at the canal’s bottom and, with great effort, managed to pull the victim to the surface. Captain Johnson’s heroic actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
-
Legion of Merit
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)Action Date:
March 1979 – November 1983
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Jesse Loftis Johnson (ASN: 0-5344800), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Operations Officer, Operations Officer, and Deputy Commander, 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-DELTA, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, from March 1979 to November 1983. In his last assignment as Deputy Commander of this classified unit, he was responsible for the planning and execution of critical missions in support of national security and American doctrines and principles. His leadership and genuine concern for his men ensured the pinnacle of unit morale and esprit de corps. His commendable performance has been in keeping with the proudest traditions of military service and reflects utmost credit on him and the United States Army.
-
Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Infantry)Batallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
39th Infantry RegimentDivision:
9th Infantry DivisionAction Date:
July 15, 1968
Headquarters, 9th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 7734 (August 29, 1968)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Jesse Loftis Johnson (ASN: 0-5344800), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Johnson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 15 July 1968, while serving as Commanding Officer of Company C, 2d Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, on a reconnaissance in force mission in Long An Province. When his company became pinned down by machine gun, mortar and automatic weapons fire from an estimated battalion of North Vietnamese Army soldiers, Captain Johnson courageously exposed himself in order to move from position to position, directing the fire of his men and rallying them for an assault that resulted in destroying four bunkers and driving the enemy from the area. When his company again became pinned down several minutes later, Captain Johnson repeatedly exposed himself in order to control the return fire of his men and assist casualties to a place of safety. His effective utilization of artillery fire that night dealt the enemy a decisive defeat. Captain Johnson’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty in close combat against a numerically superior hostile force are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division and the United States Army.
-
Legion of Merit
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
ColonelAction Date:
June 24, 1988 – June 28, 1990
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Jesse Loftis Johnson (ASN: 0-5344800), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from 24 June 1988 to 28 June 1990, while serving as Commander of the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne). His innovative, mission dedicated, professionally-focused training program coupled with his charismatic, dynamic leadership created an elite, superbly trained Special Forces Group. Throughout his tenure of command, he remained a soldier’s commander: a tough, dedicated professional sympathetic to his soldier’s needs. Colonel Johnson’s superb accomplishments reflect great credit on him, the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), and the United States Army.