Clement Benjamin Johnston Jr ★ Vietnam War Gold Star Veteran from Pennsylvania
On April 28, 1966 Lance Corporal Johnston was declared a casualty of the Vietnam War. ★ He served with honor in the United States Marine Corps. ★ He is remembered by the people of Pennsylvania. ★ May his positive example inspire us. Working together towards peace, mutual respect, and equality for all.
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Our displayed data concerning the life and military history of Clement Benjamin Johnston Jr is a work in progress. We've assembled a list of elements we are in the process of researching and reviewing. This profile was last edited on 2024-08-15 23:29:55.
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Service Details
This Profile ID | 309814 |
Service ID | 2116397 |
Name | Clement Benjamin Johnston Jr |
From | Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania |
Birth Date | July 12, 1947 |
Casualty Date | April 28, 1966 |
War | Vietnam War |
Service Branch | Marine Corps |
Rank | Lance Corporal |
Specialty | Rifleman |
Unit/Group | 1st Marine Division, 1st Recon Battalion, D Company |
Casualty Type | Hostile Died of Wounds, Other Explosive Device, Ground Casualty |
Location | South Vietnam, Quang Ngai province, near Xuan Ngoc |
Burial | Allegheny Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania |
Notable Awards |
★ Navy Cross
★ Purple Heart |
Remembered | Clement Benjamin Johnston Jr is buried or memorialized at Allegheny Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Clement is honored on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington DC. Name inscribed at VVM Wall, Panel 07e, Line 5. |
Additional Details
Clement “Sonny” Johnston Jr. enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at his local Pittsburgh recruiting office just three days after his 17th birthday. He arrived in Vietnam and was assigned to Delta Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division.
His Recon Team was at an observation position when undetermined Viet Cong hostile forces threw a couple of grenades into the position. Clement died of multiple shrapnel wounds to his left leg and back in the vicinity of Xuan Ngoc while participating in Operation Wyoming. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross 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 April 28, 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. |
Commendations + Awards
Please note this might not be a complete or completely accurate accounting. For some awards we use probability factors based on known service details. Thanks for your understanding.
★ Navy Cross
★ Purple Heart
★ Combat Action Ribbon
★ Marksmanship Badge
★ National Defense Service Medal
★ Vietnam Campaign Medal
★ Vietnam Service Medal
★ Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation
★ Vietnam Gallantry Cross
Notable Reference Sources
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Pennsylvania Gold Star Veterans Gallery
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