Medal of Honor: Donald R. Johnston – U.S. Army – Vietnam War

Name: Donald R. Johnston
Rank: Specialist Fourth Class
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: Company D, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division
Place: Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Columbus, Georgia
Born: 19 November 1947, Columbus, Georgia

Summary of Action

On 21 March 1969, Sp4c. Donald R. Johnston was serving as a mortarman with Company D at a fire support base in Tay Ninh Province.

During the night, the base came under a devastating rocket and mortar barrage.

Using the bombardment as cover, enemy sappers breached the defensive perimeter and began attacking bunkers with explosive charges.

Johnston and six fellow soldiers had moved from exposed positions into a bunker so they could continue fighting the attackers.

As the men fired from the position, an enemy soldier hurled three explosive charges into the bunker.

There was no time to throw them back.

Seeing the mortal danger facing everyone inside, Johnston acted instantly.

With complete disregard for his own life, he threw himself directly onto the charges, absorbing the blasts with his body and shielding the others from the full force of the explosions.

He was killed in the act.

His sacrifice saved the lives of six comrades and preserved the fighting position during one of the battle’s most desperate moments.

Medal of Honor Citation

JOHNSTON, DONALD R.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Johnston distinguished himself while serving as a mortarman with Company D, at a fire support base in Tay Ninh Province. Sp4c. Johnston’s company was in defensive positions when it came under a devastating rocket and mortar attack. Under cover of the bombardment, enemy sappers broke through the defensive perimeter and began hurling explosive charges into the main defensive bunkers. Sp4c. Johnston and 6 of his comrades had moved from their exposed positions to 1 of the bunkers to continue their fight against the enemy attackers. As they were firing from the bunker, an enemy soldier threw 3 explosive charges into their position. Sensing the danger to his comrades, Sp4c. Johnston, with complete disregard for his safety, hurled himself onto the explosive charges, smothering the detonations with his body and shielding his fellow soldiers from the blast. His heroic action saved the lives of 6 of his comrades. Sp4c. Johnston’s concern for his fellow men at the cost of his life were in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.