Medal of Honor: William J. Johnston – U.S. Army – World War II

Name: William J. Johnston
Rank: Private First Class
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: Company G, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division
Place: Near Padiglione, Italy
Entered Service At: Colchester, Connecticut
Born: Trenton, New Jersey
G.O. No.: 73, 6 September 1944

Summary of Action

On 17 February 1944, near Padiglione, Italy, Pfc. William J. Johnston observed approximately 80 German troops launching an assault against his position. Opening fire with his machine gun, he inflicted at least 25 casualties and forced the remainder to withdraw.

Throughout the day, he remained at his weapon without relief despite constant mortar, artillery, and sniper fire. When two German soldiers advanced so close that his machine gun could not be depressed low enough to engage them, Johnston killed one with his pistol and the other with a rifle taken from a fallen comrade.

When a rifleman protecting his position was killed by a sniper, Johnston moved the body and repositioned his machine gun in that spot to gain a better field of fire. He then volunteered to cover his platoon’s withdrawal and was the last man to leave his position that night.

In a new defensive position, he maintained an all-night vigil. The following day, he again repelled enemy forces, causing seven more casualties. On the afternoon of 18 February, when the unit on his left flank was forced to withdraw, Johnston once more covered the retreat of his own organization.

Shortly afterward, he was seriously wounded over the heart. A passing soldier saw him attempting to crawl back to his gun and helped him resume his position. The machine gun was soon heard firing again for approximately ten minutes.

Though reported killed, Pfc. Johnston was seen the next morning — 19 February — painfully working his way back to American lines through enemy-held territory. He returned with valuable intelligence regarding new enemy dispositions.

His unyielding determination and total disregard for his own safety helped halt a powerful enemy assault, inflicted enormous casualties, and inspired his fellow soldiers to hold a critical position against superior forces.

Medal of Honor Citation

JOHNSTON, WILLIAM J.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. On 17 February 1944, near Padiglione, Italy, he observed and fired upon an attacking force of approximately 80 Germans, causing at least 25 casualties and forcing withdrawal of the remainder. All that day he manned his gun without relief, subject to mortar, artillery, and sniper fire. Two Germans individually worked so close to his position that his machinegun was ineffective, whereupon he killed 1 with his pistol, the second with a rifle taken from another soldier. When a rifleman protecting his gun position was killed by a sniper, he immediately moved the body and relocated the machinegun in that spot in order to obtain a better field of fire. He volunteered to cover the platoon’s withdrawal and was the last man to leave that night. In his new position he maintained an all-night vigil, the next day causing 7 German casualties. On the afternoon of the 18th, the organization on the left flank having been forced to withdraw, he again covered the withdrawal of his own organization. Shortly thereafter, he was seriously wounded over the heart, and a passing soldier saw him trying to crawl up the embankment. The soldier aided him to resume his position behind the machinegun which was soon heard in action for about 10 minutes. Though reported killed, Pfc. Johnston was seen returning to the American lines on the morning of 19 February slowly and painfully working his way back from his overrun position through enemy lines. He gave valuable information of new enemy dispositions. His heroic determination to destroy the enemy and his disregard of his own safety aided immeasurably in halting a strong enemy attack, caused an enormous amount of enemy casualties, and so inspired his fellow soldiers that they fought for and held a vitally important position against greatly superior forces.