Information about
African-American's contribution to the Civil War can be found if you click on
the soldier to your left. (The photograph is of a Buffalo Soldier in the 25th
U.S. Infantry (colored), circa 1883)
The picture is of PFC Ralph H. Johnson, from Charleston,
South Carolina (1949-1968). In the early morning hours of 5 March 1968, during
operation ROCK, PFC Johnson was a member of a fifteen man reconnaissance patrol
manning an observation post on Hill 146 overlooking the Quan Duc 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 out a warning and unhesitantly hurled himself upon the explosive device.
When the grenade exploded, Private 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 own and undoubtedly prevented the enemy from
penetrating his sector of the patrol's perimeter. In view of his unselfish heroism,
Private First Class Johnson was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously. The
Veteran's Administration Hospital in Charleston is named in honor of PFC Johnson.