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Private First Class · U.S. Marine Corps

Ralph Henry Johnson

Private First Class Ralph Henry Johnson, Marine Corps, received the Medal of Honor posthumously for actions on March 5, 1968 at Hill-146, near Quan Duc Valley, Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

Vietnam War March 5, 1968Posthumous

Serving as a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps, Private First Class Ralph Henry Johnson was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on March 5, 1968 at Hill-146, near Quan Duc Valley, Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. At the time he was serving with Company A, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Rein) FMF. Johnson was 19 years old.

Johnson was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. The medal was presented on April 20, 1970, 2 years after the action — the White House, presented by Vice Pres. Spiro T. Agnew to his family.

Johnson was born on January 11, 1949 in Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina. His Medal of Honor is credited to Oakland, Alameda County, California. He is buried at Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, South Carolina. His medal is held by Ralph Johnson Veterans Administration Hospital, Charleston, SC.

Johnson is one of 274 Medal of Honor recipients from the Vietnam War and one of 142 credited to California.

★ Gave Their Lives

Official Medal of Honor 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, in action against the North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong forces. In the early morning hours during Operation Rock, Pfc. 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 Pfc. Johnson and two fellow marines. Realizing the inherent danger to his two comrades, he shouted a warning and unhesitatingly hurled himself on the explosive device. When the grenade exploded, Pfc. 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. Pfc. Johnson's courage, inspiring valor, and selfless devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Wounds and death in action

  • Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (March 5, 1968).
  • Cause of death: injury
  • Age at death: 19
  • Resting place: Beaufort National Cemetery

Cause and manner of death: Wikidata.

Other decorations and honors

Besides the Medal of Honor, Ralph Henry Johnson received:

Purple Heart

Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: Vietnam War.

Places

  • Born: Charleston — map
  • Died: Quảng Nam — map
  • Buried: Beaufort National Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in California →

Timeline

  1. January 11, 1949
    Born in Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina
  2. March 5, 1968
    Act of valor — Hill-146, near Quan Duc Valley, Republic of Vietnam
    Age 19. Company A, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Rein) FMF Killed in action.
  3. April 20, 1970
    Medal of Honor presented posthumously
    The White House, presented by Vice Pres. Spiro T. Agnew to his family
  4. Resting place
    Beaufort National Cemetery
    Beaufort, South Carolina

Biography

Ralph Henry Johnson (January 11, 1949 – March 5, 1968) was a United States Marine who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for heroism in March 1968 during the Vietnam War. When a hand grenade was thrown into his fighting hole, he immediately covered it with his body—absorbing the full impact of the blast—sacrificing his life to save a fellow Marine and preventing the enemy from penetrating his patrol perimeter.

From the Wikipedia article “Ralph H. Johnson”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Named in his honor

Videos

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Further reading

More Vietnam War recipients from California

Frankie Zoly Molnar Staff Sergeant · Army Vietnam War · 1967 ✦ AR Anund Charles Roark Sergeant · Army Vietnam War · 1968 ✦ Alfred V. Rascon Special Fourth Class · Army Vietnam War · 1966 Gary Lee Littrell Sergeant First Class · Army Vietnam War · 1970 JT James Allen Taylor First Lieutenant · Army Vietnam War · 1967 George Alan Ingalls Specialist Fourth Class · Army Vietnam War · 1967 ✦
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.