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 Warrant Officer Robert W. Johnson, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the 13th Transportation Company (Light) Helicopter H-34), in the vicinity of Seoul, Korea, on the night of 22 February 1957. Warrant Officer Johnson, copilot of an H-19 helicopter, was one of a group of helicopter pilots assigned the mission of rescuing survivors of a C-124 aircraft which had crash-landed on a sandbar in the Han River Estuary. In a desperate race against the rapidly rising tide waters and mounting danger to the survivors from continued exposure to the winter elements, he made approximately five flights to the crash site under extremely hazardous conditions to evacuate survivors who huddled on the sandbar or on ice flows in the river. With practically no illumination he landed his helicopter in as much as 30 inches of freezing water, and on one occasion hovered sideward alongside an ice floe to pick up two survivors. Despite the darkness, density of aircraft in the area, inadequate landing areas at the crash site, and with full awareness that an aircraft failure or misjudgment could result in death or serious injury, Warrant Officer Johnson performed his duty with exceeding dispatch and resolution, thereby contributing immeasurably to the completely successful rescue mission. The unhesitating and courageous action in the face of grave danger displayed by Warrant Officer Johnson, with complete disregard for his own safety is worthy of commendation and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the United States Army.