Ralph H. Johnson

For the philosopher, see Ralph Johnson (philosopher).
Ralph Henry Johnson
Born(1949-01-11)January 11, 1949
Charleston, South Carolina, US
Died(1968-03-05)March 5, 1968 (aged 19)
near An Hoa Combat Base, South Vietnam
AllegianceUnited States
BranchUnited States Marine Corps
Service years1967–1968
RankPrivate First Class
UnitCompany A, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division
ConflictsVietnam War  †
AwardsMedal of Honor
Purple Heart

Ralph Henry Johnson (January 11, 1949 – March 5, 1968) was a United States Marine who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for heroism in March 1968 during the Vietnam War. When a hand grenade was thrown into his fighting hole, he immediately covered it with his body—absorbing the full impact of the blast—sacrificing his life to save a fellow Marine and preventing the enemy from penetrating his patrol perimeter.

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