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 Corporal Gordon P. Bebeau, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the 612th Quartermaster Aerial Supply Company, 981st Engineer Construction Battalion, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on 2 September 1953. Corporal Bebeau saw a boat loaded with soldiers overturn on Smith Lake. Immediately upon arriving at the scene, with total disregard for his personal safety and realizing the danger, he unhesitatingly entered the water in an attempt to rescue his fellow soldiers. He pulled one man out of the water and placed him in a rescue boat. Then, with great presence of mind, he continued in the rescue work until all bodies were recovered. Corporal Bebeau’s alertness and prompt heroic actions reflect great credit on himself and the military service.