Man Given Silver Star In Greenville Ceremony

A Vietnam War hero was honored with the Silver Star for gallantry in action on Friday. 

The ceremony pinning Maj. Kenneth Johnson, a former pilot with the 174th Assault Helicopter Company, was held at the American Legion War Museum in downtown Greenville. 

Rep. Trey Gowdy helped lead the ceremony. 

From May 1 to May 15, 1968, Johnson led his helicopter team into a dangerous combat zone to evacuate injured soldiers from the battlefield with disregard for his own safety, remaining at this post while making repeated trips into the "kill zone." Some 70 or more men were evacuated. 

"This is one of the highlights of being in congress, to be able to witness men like Major Johnson receive honors for service to this country," Gowdy said.

Gowdy said he wished there was a way to get all of the young people of his congressional district, ranging from teenagers to men and women into their thirties, to witness an event like Johnson's pinning. He added that Johnson's selflessness is matched by his humility, which is why it took so long for him to be honored with the Silver Star. 

"He didn't push anything. Someone else had to," Gowdy said. "He was satisfied with just having served." 

Gen. Dennis Leach helped lead the charge to honor Johnson, who moved to the Upstate in the 1990's from Texas. 

"All I can say is this is overwhelming," Johnson said. "It's something special we did as a flight crew. It's not about just me."