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 Richard G. Avey, Jr. (ASN: 36468844), United States Army, for heroism while serving with the 35th Infantry Division at ****, Germany, on 21 June 1943. While swimming in the **** River a technical sergeant of Private Avey’s company was stricken with cramps near the middle of the stream and was being swept downstream by the swift current. Private Avey, together with another enlisted man, plunged into the water with utter disregard for his personal safety to assist the drowning man. After a bitter struggle with the strong current of the river, Private Avey pulled the drowning man from the river and administered artificial respiration. This soldier’s heroic actions at the risk of his own life were responsible for the saving of a comrade’s life and were in accord with the military traditions of the United States.