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 First Lieutenant (Infantry) [then Second Lieutenant] Fal L. Johnson, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of 77th Special Forces Group, (Airborne), at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on 30 March 1954. A C-119 aircraft crashed into a mess hall in the area of the 77th Special Forces Group (Airborne). Lieutenant Johnson, who was two buildings away from the accident, heard the sound of the crash and ran to the scene. He stopped only long enough to procure a fire extinguisher as he noticed the plane and building both on fire. Immediately and without regard for his personal safety, Lieutenant Johnson entered the burning wreckage to lead in rescue of trapped personnel. When he saw that flames were approaching one of the planes’ fuel tanks, Lieutenant Johnson seized a fire hose and without hesitation entered the flaming wreckage and directed a stream of water to prevent the flames from exploding the gas tank. During all this time it was necessary for other personnel to direct water at his feet as the debris on which he was standing was still burning. Repeatedly Lieutenant Johnson entered the flaming wreckage to look for the injured or dead, and remained at the scene of the conflagration until all rescue operations were completed and the fire was fully under control. The heroism displayed by Lieutenant Johnson in the face of imminent danger reflects great credit on himself and the military service.