The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Corporal Donald W. Johnson (MCSN: 261631), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty while serving as a member of the First Battalion, Twelfth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Cape Torokina Area, Bougainville Island, British Solomon Islands, on 12 and 13 November 1943. Seriously wounded when he was ambushed by a Japanese outpost during a routine patrol, Corporal Johnson fearlessly engaged the enemy in combat and after killing one member of the hostile force promptly plotted the location of the ambush on an artillery firing chart so that accurate fire could be brought to bear on the position. Courageously leading a patrol of the Twenty-First Marines to his hostile entrenchment, Corporal Johnson established contact with the enemy and while participating in the ensuing action was mortally wounded. His exceptional fortitude and conspicuous devotion to duty in the face of grave peril were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.