Johnie Lee Widemon

Private 1st Class, U. S. Marine Corps

Silver Star

GENERAL ORDERS:
Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force Pacific: Serial 90508
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Johnie L. Widemon (MCSN: 874172), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as an automatic rifleman of Company I, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Islands on 18 May 1945.
When his squad leader became a casualty during an assault against strongly fortified enemy held position on a ridge, Private First Class Widemon immediately assumed command of the unit and despite intense hostile automatic weapons and small arms fire, moved forward to within a few yards of an enemy position to evacuate the wounded leader.
He then led his squad in an assault upon the ridge top and personally accounted for eight enemy dead. By his outstanding leadership, courage and inspiring devotion to duty, Private First Class Widemon upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.