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 Specialist Fourth Class Larry Blankenship, United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an armed enemy 26 June 1970 while serving as a medical aid man with Troop I, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Specialist Blankenship was riding on the last vehicle in the column as the troop moved along a jungle road. Suddenly the troop commander’s vehicle hit a mine. The initial explosion mortally wounded the commander and seriously wounded the other crew members. At the same time it ignited secondary fires causing the ammunition in the vehicle to ignite. Immediately, Specialist Blankenship jumped his own vehicle and, completely disregarding his own personal safety, leaped upon the burning vehicle and pulled the seriously wounded driver from the flaming driver’s compartment. Disregarding the burns he received, he then administered aid to the wounded man. Specialist Four Blankenship’s actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.