- SURNAME
Johnson
- FORENAME
Ralph Henry
- UNIT
1 Recon Bn (A Company) (1 MarDiv)
- RANK
Private First Class
- NUMBER
2356797
- DATE OF DEATH
5th March 1968
- AGE
19
- GRAVESITE
Beaufort National Cemetery,Beaufort,Beaufort County,South Carolina Section 3 Site 21
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Charleston,South Carolina (Oakland,California in medal citation)
born 11.1.1949 Charleston,South Carolina
single
attended Courtnay Elementary School,Charleston
attended Simonton Junior High School
entered USMCR 23.3.1967
entered service USMC 2.7.1967
Recruit Training Regiment (1 R.T. Bn),MCRD,San Diego until September 1967
2 Marine Infantry Regiment (Basic Training Company) until November 1967
PFC 1.11.1967
1 Recon Bn 1967-68
awards Medal of Honor,Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with palm
KIA Hill 146,Quang Nam Province,South Vietnam
Vietnam Veterans Memorial,Washington,D.C. Panel 43E Line 8
DATE OF DEATH:
05-Mar-1968AWARD:
https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/johnson-ralph-henry.44816/CITATION:
Medal Of Honor : The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Private First Class Ralph Henry Johnson (MCSN: 2356797), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 5 March 1968, while serving as a reconnaissance scout with Company A, First Reconnaissance Battalion, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in action against the North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong forces on Hill 146, near Quan Duc Valley, Republic of Vietnam. In the early morning hours during Operation ROCK, Private First Class Johnson was a member of a 15-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 two 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 life 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
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