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 Fourth Class Ronald J. Van Nostrand, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the 510th Engineer Detachment (Utilities), Camp Hanford, Washington, on 27 November 1959. As the operator of a 3/4-ton truck Specialist Van Nostrand was sitting in the vehicle on a barge, waiting to cross the Columbia River on the Army ferry at White Bluff. Upon hearing a commotion behind him, he jumped out of the truck and ran about 25 feet to the end of the barge where he discovered that a fellow soldier had slipped and fallen into the icy water. Without hesitation or concern for his own personal safety, Specialist Van Nostrand pulled off his shirt and boots and dived in to rescue the soldier. Despite the fact that he was able to remain submerged for only a short period of time due to do piercing coldness of the water, Specialist Van Nostrand returned to the chilly, murky depths to search for the victim. He continued his search in the face of jagged rocks, swiftly changing and treacherous currents, and the numbing effect of the frigid waters. His determined attempts to save the man’s life were not successful, but the selfless effort and courageous actions which he displayed are worthy of emulation, and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.