The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Lewis H. Johnson, Jr. (ASN: 13118117), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 3 January 1945, near ****, Belgium. During an attack the company was held up by numerous enemy strongpoints. Directing his squad to lay down a heavy base of rifle fire, Staff Sergeant Johnson, with outstanding courage and aggressiveness, rushed a machine gun position and forced the surrender of four Germans by throwing a hand grenade. He then attacked a second emplacement and killed five of the enemy with his rifle. Locating a friendly tank, Staff Sergeant Johnson, despite heavy artillery and anti-tank fire, rode forward on the top of the tank pointing out three strongpoints which were knocked out by direct fire from the tank. The gallantry, courage and aggressiveness displayed in this action by Staff Sergeant Johnson were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Airborne Forces.