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 David E. Sligh, Jr., United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy near Saint Barbara, Korea, on 31 July 1955. Plunging from a cable supporting a pontoon bridge into the torrential, rain-swollen Young P’yung Chun River, a Korean soldier clung to an anchor line in a desperate attempt to keep afloat, but appeared too weak to put on the life preserver thrown to him by means of a guy wire. Observing that the struggling man was near exhaustion and beginning to panic, Private Sligh volunteered to go to his aid before the swift current swept him downstream. After donning a life preserver he was lowered into the swirling, turbulent water by a wire tied to his belt. He edged toward the floundering man,, and succeeded in securing him with the wire. When the men on the bridge attempted to pull both men upstream, the tremendous pressure snapped Private Sligh’s belt buckle, leaving him stranded with his helpless soldier. Although Private Sligh’s own strength was waning fast, he gallantly held the man’s head above water and clung to the anchor line for more than 30 minutes until his comrades could obtain and toss him a rope to effect the rescue. Private Sligh’s actions were instrumental in saving the life of the Korean soldier, reflecting utmost credit on himself and upholding the honored traditions of the military service.