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Headquarters, Far East Air Forces
General Orders No. 469 - October 4, 1951
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier's Medal to First Lieutenant Sherwin D. Edelman, United States Air Force, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, on 21 May 1951 while serving as Armament Officer of the 98th Bombardment Wing (M), (ADVON). At 1735 hours, he and the Noncommissioned Officer-in-Charge of the Armament Section were called to a parked B-29 aircraft. The aircraft was loaded with forty 500 pound bombs fuzzed with highly sensitive variable time delay fuzzes. During the fuzzing operation, an aircrew member had inadvertently broken a fuze, spinning the generator propeller. Realizing the imminent danger Lieutenant Edelman and his assistant immediately cleared the area of all other personnel. Fully aware of the possibility of immediate death, they voluntarily risked their lives by promptly entering the bomb bay where they defuzed the defective bomb. The exceptional courage and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Edelman were in keeping with the highest traditions of the service and reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces
General Orders No. 41 - 22 January 1952
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier's Medal to Technical Sergeant William F. Elliot, United States Air Force, for heroism involving risk of life while attached to the 93d Bombardment Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group, (Medium), FIFTH Air Force. On 15 November 1950, Sergeant Elliott was on the scene of an aircraft accident on the runway at Kadena Air Base. When Sergeant Elliott arrived at the accident spot, he found the flight engineer of the bomber in a semi-conscious state, approximately 15 feet from the burning aircraft and unable to move. The excessive heat, detonation of incendiary-type ammunition and 50 caliber ammunition greatly endangered the life of the injured man. Sergeant Elliott immediately went to his aid and assisted in removing him to a safe area, where medical aid was administered. Sergeant Elliott's courage, quick-thinking and devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.
Department of the Army
General Orders No. 4 - 7 February 1951
Private Lawrence H., RA17249294, Infantry, United States Army, a member of Company I, 14th Infantry Regiment, distinguished himself by heroism, on 17 January 1950, at Camp Carson, Colorado. He was a member of the fire fighting detail that was attempting to check the forest and field fire that threatened the camp. In the face of high flames fanned by hurricane winds and with complete disregard for his safety, he fought the fire until he was engulfed in flames and fatally burned. Private Elwell's determination and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit on himself and the military service.
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces
General Orders No. 234 - May 17, 1952
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier's Medal to Airman Second Class Clayton W. Erickson, United States Air Force, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life on the evening of 18 November 1951 at Yokota Air Base, Japan. As a member of a crash rescue team, 6161st Installations Squadron, Airman Erickson, while off duty, voluntarily joined a crew proceeding to the location of a B-29 type aircraft which had crashed on take-off carrying a full load of bombs. Arriving at the scene, Airman Erickson, although aware of the imminent possibility of explosion, rushed into the danger area and attempted to remove the unconscious body of a fire truck driver from the cab, where he had been pinned by a previous explosion. Airman Erickson's voluntary response to the emergency reflected heroism and devotion to duty of an extraordinary degree. By his willingness to endanger his life to save another, Airman Erickson brought great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.
Headquarters, 2nd Infantry Division
General Orders No. 112 - 18 May 1951
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier's Medal to Master Sergeant [then Sergeant First Class Woody S. Ervin (ASN: RA_ 6258006), United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy of the United States as a member of Company M, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action on 30 November 1950 in the vicinity of Songchon, Korea. On that date Sergeant Ervin was withdrawing with the remainder of the company in order to avoid complete encirclement by a numerically superior enemy when an aircraft of the United Nations Forces crashed in rice paddy about 200 yards form the company positions and burst into flames. Although the company was at that time under heavy enemy small arms, automatic weapons and mortar fire, Sergeant Ervin, with a comrade, rushed through the smoke and heat to the wreckage. Finding the pilot trapped in the cockpit of the aircraft, he cut his safety belt and carried the injured pilot out of the reach of the flames. He then called an ambulance and evacuated the pilot. His courageous action under enemy fire and in extreme danger from exploding gasoline was responsible for saving the life of the pilot. The heroism and selfless action of Sergeant Ervin in going to the aid of a comrade at the risk of his own life reflect the highest credit upon himself are in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.
Department of the Army
General Orders No. 61 - August 18, 1954
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Soldier's Medal to Corporal Robert A. Estes, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Headquarters, 724th Special Forces Group, Airborne, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on 30 March 1954. A C-119 aircraft crashed into a mess hall in the area of 77th Special Forces Group, Airborne, trapping the plane crew and mess personnel in the wreckage. Corporal Estes, who was working in an area nearby, heard the crash and immediately ran to the scene of the accident. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Corporal Estes entered the burning aircraft and rescued the injured pilot. Again, with no thought of his personal safety, he reentered the wreckage and assisted in the rescue of the copilot. Hearing a scream from the left side of the aircraft, Corporal Estes immediately crawled under the wreckage in an attempt to rescue the injured person: however he was driven back by the intense smoke and flames. Corporal Estes then manned a fire hose, and again entered the aircraft in an effort to prevent the flames from reaching the fuel tank which contained approximately one thousand gallons of gasoline. The heroism displayed by Corporal Estes in the face of grave danger reflects great credit on himself and the military service.