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 (Armor) William M. Morrissey, United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an armed enemy on 5 September 1969 while serving as an ammunition disposal officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date Lieutenant Morrissey was disposing defective ammunition at Blackhorse Base camp with several other men when there as a sudden explosion in the disposal pit, sending shrapnel into three men and setting of an aircraft flare which threatened to ignite more ammunition. Although wounded and dazed by the explosion, Lieutenant Morrissey immediately directed the removal of all persons from the area which meant transferring the seriously wounded over fifty meters. Ignoring the intense pain of a fragmentation wound in his knee, he helped another man who had been injured in the back and legs over the entire distance to safety. After insuring that all personnel were a safe distance away, he called for an ambulance and began administering medical aid to the troopers. He helped to save one man’s lire by applying a tourniquet which stopped the severe bleeding. First Lieutenant Morrissey’s unwavering devotion to duty and decisive 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.