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 [then Private First Class] James D. Turner, United States Air Force, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the 7767th Special Service Band, at Assmannshausen, Germany, on 6 February 1948. Seeing a young girl suddenly disappear in the dark into the Rhine River, he quickly located her with a flashlight and dived fully clothed into the river. Guided only by the girl’s screams, he swam to her and, although exhausted by his efforts to keep the struggling girl afloat and battling against the swift current, towed her to safety at the edge of the river. Sergeant Turner’s personal courage and quick action reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.