The Life of CLEMENT B JOHNSTON, JR
CLEMENT B JOHNSTON JR LCPL - E3 - Marine Corps - Regular Length of service 1 years Born July 12, 1947 Casualty was on Apr 28, 1966 In QUANG NGAI, SOUTH VIETNAM Hostile, died of wounds, GROUND CASUALTY OTHER EXPLOSIVE DEVICE Body was recovered Panel 07E - Line 5 The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Clement B. Johnston, Jr. (2116397), Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as a member of a reconnaissance platoon, Company D, First Reconnaissance Battalion, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in action against enemy Viet Cong forces in the vicinity of Xuan Ngoc Village in Quang Ngai Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 28 April 1966. Corporal Johnston, a fellow Marine, and a Navy Corpsman were occupying a position when an undetermined number of insurgents (Viet Cong) quietly approached their location and threw two hand grenades into their midst. Corporal Johnston saw one of the grenades and leaped at his companions, knocking them to the ground and shielding them from the blast of the grenade. In so doing he absorbed the terrific force of the explosion and saved his friends from major injuries and possible loss of life. Corporal Johnston's courageous action and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the cause of freedom.
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