[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1779]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE HEROISM OF PRIVATE FIRST CLASS CHARLIE JOHNSON

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                           HON. JACK KINGSTON

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2010

  Mr. KINGSTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the heroism and 
courage of Private First Class Charles R. Johnson, better known as 
Charlie to his friends. Private Johnson fought and died to save his 
buddies on a hot day in a far away land, in a war largely forgotten by 
the American public. However, for those who fought in Korea against a 
dedicated enemy in some of the most forsaken terrain on this earth, 
scarcely a day goes by without remembering the sacrifices made there. 
And for those that were at Outpost Harry in June of 1953, they will 
never forget Charlie Johnson.
   Charlie was a Browning Automatic Rifleman with Company B of the 15th 
Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. Early in June of 1953, Baker 
Company, as Company B was known, was ordered to defend Outpost Harry 
with other units from the 15th Infantry. This outpost in the Chorwon 
valley was of strategic importance. The high ground that Outpost Harry 
occupied could be used by communist forces to directly engage United 
Nations forces' defensive positions. If Outpost Harry fell, the U.S. 
8th Army would have to fall back 6 miles to a new, defendable position. 
It was feared that public support would erode and the United States 
might agree to a cease-fire under unfavorable conditions if the 
communists could inflict heavy casualties and force a retreat of the 
8th Army. As peace negotiations were ongoing, the loss of Outpost Harry 
was simply not an option.
   The battle for Outpost Harry was fierce. Almost 90,000 communist 
artillery rounds landed on Outpost Harry during the battle. The U.S. 
and Greek soldiers were outnumbered 30-1. Some of the fighting was 
hand-to-hand. The fighting went on for 8 days.
   It is in this context that Charlie's brave actions took place. He 
selflessly put himself in the line of fire to protect his fellow 
soldiers, all of whom were injured during the attack. After treating 
the wounds of his fellow soldiers, he led them to safety and then 
returned to defend the position and enable the rescue of his fellow 
soldiers. This sort of bravery went unrecognized for over 50 years. 
Thanks to the leadership of the current 3rd Infantry Division, Major 
General Cuculo and Brigadier General Phillips, this brave act has not 
gone unrewarded. For his actions on the 11th and 12th of June, 1953, 
Charlie Johnson was finally awarded the Silver Star, our nation's third 
highest medal for valor in combat. I believe Charlie's Silver Star 
write up says it best:
   ``During the night and early morning of 11 and 12 June 1953 against 
overwhelming odds during an attack on his element's position, Private 
First Class Johnson acted with complete disregard for his personal 
safety to ensure the safety of his fellow Soldiers. Ignoring his own 
injuries, he treated several wounded comrades, dragging one Soldier 
through the Trenches while under direct artillery, mortar and small 
arms fire to a secure bunker, stopping only to clear the path of enemy 
soldiers in close combat operations. Ignoring the proximity of the 
opposing force, he left the bunker to assess the situation and secure 
weapons and ammunition. When he returned, he organized a defense and 
departed his fighting position in order to place himself between his 
comrades and the enemy, thereby creating the conditions for their 
successful rescue.''
   In an age of persistent conflict, it is useful to reflect on those 
who have gone before us and have shown character, integrity, sacrifice 
and bravery in their actions. Today's soldiers of the 3rd Infantry 
Division, and indeed all of our men and women in uniform, will look to 
Private First Class Johnson's actions as an example to live up to. 
There was an easy way out that night; Charlie could have chosen to 
retreat. But he chose to fight, and because of his actions others 
lived. That is the textbook definition of the ultimate sacrifice.
   Charlie's Silver Star was presented to his family this last weekend 
in Poughkeepsie, New York. His good friend Donald Dingee, one of the 
men he saved that night, was in attendance. It is unfortunate that 
Charlie's Silver Star had to wait so long, but I am happy that the 
final chapter has finally been written. Our nation continues to enjoy 
liberty and freedom unlike any other, and it is due in no small part to 
heroes like Private First Class Charles R. Johnson. Thank you Charlie.

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