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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Edwin A. Gerlikowski (ASN: 0-548773), United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with the enemy while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 232d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, on 25 March 1945 near Rumbach, Germany. When another officer was overcome by poisonous fumes in a Siegfried Line pillbox which had recently been dynamited, Lieutenant Gerlikowski entered the fortification and carried out the unconscious officer. Lieutenant Gerlikowski then successfully administered artificial respiration. By his heroic act Lieutenant Gerlikowski saved the life of a fellow officer.