The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting the Soldier’s Medal (Posthumously) to Sergeant First Class Clifford F. America, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Headquarters and Service Company, 13th Engineering Battalion, Combat), in Korea, on 24 June 1955. During the heavy summer rains, eleven American soldiers stranded in a tank, and their tank retriever in the middle of the Han Tan River were in imminent danger of being submerged by the rapidly rising and turbulent water. Fully aware of the hazards involved, and that the river banks downstream were very steep and harbored land mines, Sergeant America voluntarily organized and led an assault boat crew into the swirling water in an effort to rescue the marooned men. The raging, torrential river and swift current swept the boat approximately 700 yards downstream where it struck a large rock, foundered and capsized, and Sergeant America drowned. Although unsuccessful in his heroic attempt to save the lives of the eleven soldiers, Sergeant America’s consummate gallantry and supreme sacrifice set an inspiring example of valor to all who observed him, reflecting utmost credit on himself and upholding the noble traditions of the military service.