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Graphic reads “AWARDED THE MEDAL OF HONOR; Honoring Marines from Our Legacy; BLACK HISTORY MONTH; PRIVATE FIRST CLASS, RALPH H. JOHNSON, UNIT: 1RECON BN, 1MARDIV; VIETNAM WAR, MARCH 1968.” The layout consists of a brown cloth texture background with an image of the Medal of Honor in the upper left corner in color. Additionally, a photo of Oscar Austin has been subdued and blended into the background. The graphic was created on January 27, 2022 at Communication Strategy & Operations, Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, Ca. and intended for use by Marine Corps Installations West to highlight African American Marine Medal of Honor recipients during the African American History Month. (U.S. Marine Corps graphics by David G. Smith)
Citation included: The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to PRIVATE FIRST CLASS RALPH H. JOHNSON, UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a reconnaissance scout with Company A, First Reconnaissance Battalion, First Marine Division in action against the North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong forces in the Republic of Vietnam. In the early morning hours of March 5, 1968, during OPERATION ROCK, First Class Johnson was a member of a fifteen-man reconnaissance patrol manning an observation post on Hill 146 overlooking the Quan Duc Valley deep in enemy controlled territory. They were attacked by a platoon-size hostile force employing automatic weapons, satchel charges and hand grenades. Suddenly a hand grenade landed in the three- man fighting hole occupied by Private First Class Johnson and two fellow Marines. Realizing the inherent danger to his comrades, he shouted a warning and unhesitatingly hurled himself upon the explosive device. When the grenade exploded, Private First Class Johnson absorbed the tremendous impact of the blast and was killed instantly. His prompt and heroic act saved the life of one Marine at the cost of his own and undoubtedly prevented the enemy from penetrating his sector of the patrol's perimeter. Private First Class Johnson's courage inspiring valor and selfless devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country. /S/ RICHARD M. NIXON
| Date Taken: | 01.27.2022 |
| Published: | 02-03-22 04:40 PM |
| Graphic ID: | 18961 |
| VIRIN: | 220127-M-VL690-006 |
| Size: | 3.35 MB |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 32 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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