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 Specialist Third Class Franklin R. Alvarado, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Company K, 39th Infantry Regiment, at Fort Carson Colorado, on 11 December 1956. During instruction in throwing of live fragmentation hand grenades, a grenade improperly thrown by a trainee in the bay with Specialist Third Class Alvarado, failed to clear the parapet to the front of the bay and rolled back into the pit. Apparently shaken, the trainee fell on a grenade. Aware of the danger involved, Specialist Third Class Alvarado unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own safety, pushed the trainee aside, picked up the grenade, and threw it. The grenade barely cleared the parapet when it exploded in mid air. Specialist Third Class Alvarado’s intrepidity and prompt courageous actions reflect great credit on himself and uphold the traditions of the military service.