The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
JOHNSTON, HAROLD I.
Rank and Organization: Sergeant (then Private
First Class), U.S. Army, Company A, 356th Infantry, 89th Division. Place and Date:
Near Pouilly, France, 9 November 1918. Entered Service At: Chicago, Ill. Birth:
Kendell, Kans. C O. No.: 20, W.D., 1919.
Citation:
When information was desired as to the enemy's position on the opposite side of the Meuse
River, Sgt. Johnston, with another soldier, volunteered without hesitation and swam the
river to reconnoiter the exact location of the enemy. He succeeded in reaching the
opposite bank, despite the evident determination of the enemy to prevent a crossing.
Having obtained his information, he again entered the water for his return. This was
accomplished after a severe struggle which so exhausted him that he had to be assisted
from the water, after which he rendered his report of the exploit.
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