On this date in 1950, Pocatello native Sgt. James Johnson earned the Medal of Honor in a battle that claimed his life at Yudam-ni, Korea. Johnson served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and deployed to Korea in August 1950, just five days after the birth of his daughter. The Marine is the only person from Pocatello to ever earn the nation's highest military award. Vastly outnumbered by a well-entrenched and cleverly concealed enemy force wearing the uniforms of friendly troops and attacking his platoon's open and unconcealed positions, Sgt. Johnson unhesitatingly took charge of his platoon in the absence of the leader and exhibiting great personal valor in the face of a heavy barrage of hostile fire, coolly proceeded to move about among his men, shouting words of encouragement and inspiration and skillfully directing their fire. Ordered to displace his platoon during the fire fight, he immediately placed himself in an extremely hazardous position from which he could provid...