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Department of the Army
General Orders No. 53 - July 9, 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 Private First Class Lenard Raddatz, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the 5015th Army Service Unit, Camp Atterbury, Indiana, at Edinburg, Indiana, on 17 April 1954. While driving home, he noticed an open evacuation of the street. He stopped at the scene and saw a man helplessly trapped at the bottom of the evacuation. The victim was submerged up to his chin in the mud and water at the bottom of the pit. Because of a broken high pressure water main, caused by a cave-on of the walls of the evacuation, the water and mud continued to rise. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Private Raddatz unhesitatingly entered the pit and attempted to stem the flow of water by improvised means. He succeeded in checking the flow of water until the supply was turned off, and then assisted in freeing the trapped man from the mud and removing him to a place of safety. Private Raddatz's alert and courageous action in the face of grave danger reflects great credit on himself and 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 Sergeant First Class Herve J. Rainville, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 77th 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 the 77th Special Forces Group (Airborne), trapping the crew and mess hall personnel in the wreckage. Sergeant Rainville saw the aircraft crash into the building, ran to the scene of the accident, and, with complete disregard for his personal safety, entered the flaming wreckage and assisted in the rescue of the injured pilot and copilot of the C-119 aircraft. Again Sergeant Rainville entered the burning aircraft and aided in removing one of the injured cooks who was pinned in the wreckage. He remained on the scene and assisted in fighting the fire until it was completely under control. The heroism displayed by Sergeant Rainville reflects great credit on himself and the military service.
Department of the Army
General Orders No. 26 (April 2, 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 Private Ernest F. Randell, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Company A, 981st Engineer Construction Battalion, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on 2 September 1953. Private Randall was a member of an assault-boat crew when the boat overturned on Smith Lake. All the men in the water were in a state of panic. With total disregard for his personal safety and realizing the danger, he unhesitatingly attempted to rescue his fellow soldiers. He saw a man floundering in the water. A 5-gallon gas can was floating nearby and Private Randall pushed it to the man. The man grasped it and remained afloat until rescued from the water. While swimming for shore, he came upon another man, whom he assisted to a place of safety. Private Randall's prompt actions and indomitable courage reflect the highest credit on himself and the military service.
Department of the Army
General Orders No. 91 - October 24, 1951
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting the Soldier's Medal (Posthumously) to Private First Class Rudolph N. Rezsnyak, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Company C, 756th Transportation Railway Shop Battalion, at Virginia Beach, Virginia, on 1 August 1951. He and a comrade were bathing at the beach when they heard cries for help from a man swimming farther out from shore in deep water. His comrade could not swim and started for shore to secure help. Although he could not swim, Private Rezsnyak nevertheless, with complete disregard for his safety, waded out to give what assistance he could to the stricken swimmer. Another man on shore secured a beach raft, proceeded to the aid of the man in trouble, and brought him to shore, but Private Rezsnyak lost his life by drowning in his heroic attempt to rescue the swimmer. Private Rezsnyak's indomitable courage, consummate fortitude in the face of grave danger, and valiant self-sacrifice, reflect the highest credit on himself and the military service.
Headquarters, 24th Infantry Division
General Orders No. 139 - April 21, 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 Private Charles E. Riley, Jr. (ASN: US-56140714), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Company E, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, near Dung Dac-Ro, Korea, on 4 December 1951. A comrade had attached a full can of fuel to a tent stove and, to test its operation, lifted the cover and dropped a lighted match. A roaring explosion followed, throwing flaming oil all over the soldier, who, becoming frantic, began running around and beating futilely at the leaping flames with his hands. Private Riley, displaying excellent presence of mind, raced after the man. He threw him to the ground and, wrapping a jacket around him, smothered the flames with his own hands and body. In doing so, he received several painful burns but continued until the fire was extinguished, thus saving the soldier's life. Private Riley's heroism, daring initiative and selfless devotion to an endangered comrade reflect the greatest credit on himself and the United States Infantry.
Headquarters, 2nd Infantry Division
General Orders No. 50 - 25 February 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 (Field Artillery) Phillip W. Robbins (ASN: 0-2006615), United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy of the United States as a member of Headquarters, 38th Field Artillery Battalion, 2d Infantry Division, on 10 October 1950 in the vicinity of Anyang-ni, Korea. On the night of that date, Lieutenant Robins was notified that an ammunition truck in the battalion area was on fire. He immediately proceeded toward the burning truck in order to evacuate it before other trucks could be endangered, but was unable to do so since when he arrived within 30 yards of the vehicle the 105-mm. ammunition on it began exploding. He then went through the Headquarters Battery area to arouse and evacuate the personnel. During this time, he was in the immediate area of the exploding shells. Leading those men he had aroused to safety, Lieutenant Robbins returned and evacuated two more men, at great personal danger to himself. Truck loads of ammunition were burning and exploding and 105-mm. shells were being hurled through the air and exploding on hitting the ground nearby. Lieutenant Robbins completely disregarded his own safety to assure that all other personnel were out of the area, making no less than seven trips back into the scene of the explosions. At daybreak, he volunteered to enter the area to ascertain if it was safe to do so and to clear the area of dangerous ammunition by demolition, which he did. His coolness, courage, and soldierly competence reflect the highest credit upon himself are in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.
Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division
General Orders No. 211 - June 22, 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 Sergeant Arthur K. Roe (ASN: RA-37246140), United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy of the United States as a member of the 2d Quartermaster Company, 2d Infantry Division, in action on 21 May 1951, in the vicinity of Chudong-ni, Korea. Sergeant Roe observed laborers unloading explosives in the 2d Infantry Division ammunition supply point adjacent to the Quartermaster rations and gasoline dump and troop area. During the process of unloading, the laborers dropped a box of trip flares which immediately burst into flames alongside the partially unloaded truck. After sending the alarm, Sergeant Roe, unmindful of an imminent explosion and with complete disregard for his own safety, proceeded to the side of the flaming box of ammunition, climbed into the deserted truck filled with explosives and flares, and drove through the dump to a safe area in a nearby open field. His alertness and disregard for personal safety prevented the fire from spreading to the vehicle loaded with explosives and undoubtedly prevented loss of life and numerous casualties among the laborers and saved tons of critical supplies and ammunition. The heroism displayed by Sergeant Roe reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.
Department of the Army
General Orders No. 30 - March 26, 1953
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting the Soldier's Medal (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Leo J. Rogers, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Headquarters, 9th Infantry Division, at Fort Dix, New Jersey, on 7 November 1952. Lieutenant Rogers arrived in the vicinity of the impact area of a rifle-grenade range and discovered that a detail of men had unknowingly entered the impact area while proceeding to the scene of a brush fire, and that one of the men in the detail had stepped on an unexploded grenade. The grenade detonated and wounded three men. Being fully cognizant of the density of unexploded grenades in the area and without regard for his personal safety, he proceeded into the area in order to lead the detail to safety. When he reached the wounded men, he attempted to guide two of them out of the danger area. Another explosion occurred when they were halfway out and Lieutenant Rogers was fatally wounded. The prompt, courageous, and determined action taken by Lieutenant Rogers in the face of grave danger reflects distinct credit on himself and the military service.
Department of the Army
General Orders No. 43 - June 24, 1955
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 Sergeant Jesus T. Rosario, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Battery C, 466th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion, March Air Force Base, California, on 16 September 1954. On or about 1600 hours on 16 September 1954, Sergeant Rosario, a passenger on a 5-ton truck towing a 75-mm. gun was returning from Camp Irwin, California, en route to March Air Force Base. As the truck started down Cajob Pass the brakes failed. Due to inertia and the slope of the pass the truck picked up an excessive amount of speed causing the transmission of the truck to explode. Sergeant Rosario, who at the time was riding in the bed of the truck along with five other omen, made his way down the tow bar of the gun and across the gun itself and applied the mechanical brakes on the rear bogie of the gun. The truck was traveling in excess of 70 miles per hour for approximately four miles according to a California Sate Highway Patrolman, who was attempting to clear the road for the runaway vehicle. There were turns in the road a short distance from the place the truck stopped that would have been impossible for the truck and gun to negotiate at its speed. Sergeant Rosario's action and complete disregard for his personal safety saved several lives, both military and civilian, in addition to several hundred thousand dollars of Government property reflecting credit on himself and the military service.
Synopsis only: Captain (Field Artillery), [then First Lieutenant] Edgar J. Ross, United States Army, was awarded the Soldier's Medal for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy of the United States while serving with Battery D, 3d Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion (Self Propelled), 3d Infantry Division, in action near Hungnam, Korea, on 22 December 1950. The courage and regard for his fellow men displayed by Captain Ross reflect the highest credit upon himself are in keeping with the fine traditions of the military service.
Department of the Army
General Orders No. 2 6 - April 2, 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 Private Andre R. Rouleau, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Company A, 981st Engineer Construction Battalion, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on 2 September 1953. Private Rouleau was a member of the crew of an assault boat which overturned on Smith Lake. The men in the water were in a state of panic. With total disregard for his personal safety and realizing the danger, he attempted to rescue his fellow soldiers. Private Rouleau placed non-swimmers on the overturned boat and proceeded to swim to shore. He came upon a man floundering in the water and immediately took the man in tow and aided him to shore, thus saving the life of a comrade. Private Roleau's alertness and prompt heroic actions reflect great credit on himself and the military service.
Synopsis only: Lieutenant Colonel George Inkerman Ruddell (AFSN: FR-8826A/0-36054), United States Air Force, was awarded the Soldier's Medal for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy of the United States.