Navy Federal Credit Union

(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Cavalry) Harold Keith Johnson (ASN: 0-19187), United States Army, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving with the 1st Cavalry Division in Korea.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    8th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry)

    Division:

    1st Cavalry Division

    Action Date:

    September 4, 1950

    Headquarters, EIGHTH U.S. Army, Korea, General Orders No. 52 (February 2, 1951)

    The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Harold K. Johnson (ASN: 0-19187), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer of the 3d Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division. Lieutenant Colonel Johnson distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Tabu-dong, Korea, on 4 September 1950. When his battalion had been forced to withdraw from their hill position by a series of fierce attacks by an overwhelming number of the enemy, Colonel Johnson immediately directed a counterattack in an attempt to regain the vitally important dominating terrain. Placing himself with the most forward elements in order to more effectively direct and coordinate the attack, Colonel Johnson rallied his men and led them forward. Moving about exposed to the heavy enemy artillery, mortar and small-arms fire, he directed fire, assigned positions and, by personal example, proved the necessary incentive to stimulate and keep the attack moving. When his battalion began to falter due to the devastating enemy fire, Colonel Johnson moved forward to close proximity of the enemy to establish and personally operate a forward observation post. Remaining in this exposed position, he directed effective mortar counter fire against the enemy. When his mortars became inoperable and his casualties very heavy due to the tremendous firepower and numerically superior enemy forces, he realized the necessity for withdrawal. Remaining in the position until the last unit had withdrawn, he directed the salvaging of both weapons and equipment. Reestablishing a new defensive position, he reorganized his battalion and supervised medical attention and evacuation of the wounded. His conspicuous devotion to duty and selfless conduct under enemy fire provided an inspiring example to his men and prevented a serious penetration of friendly lines. The extraordinary heroism displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Johnson on this occasion reflects the greatest credit on himself and is in keeping with the high traditions of the military service.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Cavalry)

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Philippine Islands)

    Action Date:

    April 1942 – 1945

    Lieutenant Colonel (Cavalry) Harold Keith Johnson (ASN: 0-19187), United States Army, was captured by the Japanese after the fall the Philippine Islands in 1942, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his return to U.S. Military control at the end of hostilities in 1945.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Cavalry)

    Division:

    1st Cavalry Division

    Action Date:

    February 8 – October 20, 1951

    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 75 (August 6, 1952)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Cavalry) Harold Keith Johnson (ASN: 0-19187), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from 8 February to 20 October 1951.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    August 1966 – July 1968

    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 44 (August 22, 1968)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to General Harold Keith Johnson (ASN: 0-19187), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility, during the period from August 1966 through July 1968. General Johnson untiringly guided and directed the United States Army in accomplishing with distinction every aspect of its diverse mission. His outstanding professional ability, breadth of vision, foresight, tenacity, tenacity and personal integrity were an inspiration to the entire Army. Under his leadership, the United States Army met successfully some of the greatest challenges of its proud history. Most noteworthy was the Army’s support of the accelerated buildup and deployment of forces to Southeast Asia concurrent with meeting other heavy demands overseas and in the continental United States. During this period the Active Army grew by more than one-quarter million men, and the Reserve Components were reorganized into a viable, ready force, responsive to strategic requirements. Through his perceptive direction and energetic follow-through of a comprehensive Army study program, General Johnson left a strong personal imprint on the Army logistic structure, the Army school system, Army tactical mobility, Army resource management, and doctrines and concepts in the broad area of land warfare. General Johnson was particularly concerned with the people in the Army, and he devoted himself untiringly to the needs of the individual. He accorded the highest priority to assuring that every soldier was superbly trained, that each had the opportunity to contribute to the full extent of his ability to the Army mission, and that each would be a better citizen as the result of his Army training and experience. General Johnson’s objectivity and sound judgment have won for him the admiration and respect of seniors, contemporaries, and subordinates alike. His exceptional leadership, marked by complete dedication and loyalty, and his sense of fairness, understanding, and consideration of others earned him respect throughout the Government. He demanded of himself excellence and effective performance; in others he inspired it. Above all, he was a team player, and he led the Army as a team toward a common goal — service to country. A grateful nation recognizes that General Johnson’s long and distinguished career during more than thirty-five years of devoted duty is in the finest traditions of the military profession. His selfless and dedicated service to the United States reflects the highest credit upon himself, the Army, and his country.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Cavalry)

    Action Date:

    Korean War

    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Cavalry) Harold Keith Johnson (ASN: 0-19187), United States Army, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving with the 1st Cavalry Division in Korea.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Cavalry)

    Action Date:

    World War II

    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Cavalry) Harold Keith Johnson (ASN: 0-19187), United States Army, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during World War II.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    July 1964 – July 1966

    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 42 (October 4, 1966)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to General Harold Keith Johnson (ASN: 0-19187), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility, during the period from July 1964 to July 1966. As Chief of Staff, United States Army, during this period, General Johnson played a key role in the rapid expansion of the Army to meet the Communist threat in Vietnam while ensuring the Army’s ability to fulfill its many other commitments throughout the world. As the principal military advisor to the Secretary of the Army, he has provided a responsive, dynamic, and creative contribution to the solution of the numberless problems associated with a critical period of our Nation. Under his superb direction, the Army’s combat training program was significantly accelerated, and the logistical effort was geared to meet the requirements of newly-activated units and the growing number of troops in Vietnam. The complexities of the problems which confronted him during this critical period were compounded by the unexpected requirement for the United States Army to respond quickly to the call for troops in the Dominican Republic. In these and all aspects of the Army’s diverse operations, General Johnson has taken an intense personal interest in every activity and in the welfare of each officer and enlisted man. His efforts have consistently been aimed at putting the personal into personnel, and his concern for the individual soldier has endeared him to all members of the Army. General Johnson’s extraordinary service to country will have a lasting impact not only on the Army but on all our citizens, and his exceptional achievements reflect the highest credit upon himself, the United States Army, and the military service.