James B. Johnson, Jr.
First Lieutenant, U.S. Army

In September 1951, First Lieutenant James B. Johnson, Jr. was serving with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division, in Korea.

On 6 September, 1LT Johnson's unit was engaged with enemy forces in the vicinity of Chup'a-ri, North Korea. 1LT Johnson led his platoon across the Imjin River under an extremely heavy enemy mortar and artillery barrage in an effort to relieve Company K, which had been subjected to fierce enemy attacks for several hours. Making his way to the Company's defensive area, 1LT Johnson deployed his men to protect a flank of the perimeter. Almost immediately, the platoon was attacked by the enemy but, despite the intense hostile artillery, mortar and automatic-weapons fire, the men successfully defended their sector, and repulsed the enemy with heavy casualties. After this attack, 1LT Johnson led his men in an assault against an enemy-held ridge line, but a heavy volume of hostile fire forced a withdrawal. Although wounded, 1LT Johnson reorganized his men and led them in a second assault against the hostile positions. During this assault, he was again wounded when he shielded one of his men from an exploding grenade. Undaunted, 1LT Johnson continued to lead the advance until he was mortally wounded by mortar fragments. His heroic actions so inspired his men that the ridge line was subsequently captured from a vastly superior number of hostile troops. 1LT Johnson earned the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) James B. Johnson (ASN: 0-1335426), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division. First Lieutenant Johnson distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Chup'a-ri, Korea, on 6 September 1951. On that date, Lieutenant Johnson led his platoon across the Imjin River under an extremely heavy enemy mortar and artillery barrage in an effort to relieve Company K, which had been subjected to fierce enemy attacks for several hours. Making his way to the company's defensive area, Lieutenant Johnson quickly deployed his men to protect a flank of the perimeter. Almost immediately, the platoon was attacked by the enemy but, despite the intense hostile artillery, mortar and automatic-weapons fire, the men successfully defended their sector, repulsing the enemy with heavy casualties. After this attack, Lieutenant Johnson led his men in an assault against an enemy-held ridge line, but a heavy volume of hostile fire forced a withdrawal. Although painfully wounded, Lieutenant Johnson reorganized his men and led them in a second assault against the hostile positions. During this assault, he was again wounded when he courageously shielded one of his men from an exploding grenade. Undaunted, Lieutenant Johnson continued to lead the advance until mortally wounded by mortar fragments. His heroic actions so inspired his men that the ridge line was subsequently captured from a vastly superior number of hostile troops.

General Orders: Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 768 (October 14, 1951)

Burial

First Lieutenant James B. Johnson, Jr. is buried at Forest Park Cemetery in Fort Smith, Sebastian County, AR.

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