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<\/a><\/center><\/p>\nClay sends us the news<\/a> that USS Ralph Johnson. an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, has arrived in Charleston, South Carolina for it’s commissioning ceremony on Saturday. The destroyer is named for Charleston native Marine Private First Class Ralph Johnson<\/a> who sacrificed his life for those of his Marine Corps brothers when he shielded them from a grenade blast with his body;<\/p>\n In the early morning hours of Mar. 5, 1968 during Operation ROCK, Private First Class Johnson and his 15-man reconnaissance patrol manned 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.<\/p>\n As the enemy raced up the hill, a hand grenade landed in the three-man fighting hole occupied by Pfc. Johnson and two fellow Marines. Realizing the danger to his comrades, Pfc. Johnson shouted a warning and willingly hurled himself upon the explosive device.<\/p>\n When the grenade exploded, Pfc. Johnson absorbed the impact of the blast and was killed instantly. His heroic act saved the life of a fellow Marine at the cost of his own and prevented the enemy from penetrating his sector of the patrol\u2019s perimeter.<\/p>\n Pfc. Johnson was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n The VA hospital in Charleston also bears his most honorable name.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.azuse.cloud\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Ralph-Johnson-214x300.jpg\")
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