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 Private Robert J. Thompson (ASN: 39098316), United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with the enemy while serving with Company L, 3d Battalion, 222d Infantry Regiment, 42d Infantry Division, on 9 May 1945 near Trostberg, Germany. Standing with another soldier on the bank of the Alz River, Private Thompson saw a girl fall into the stream. When the girl appeared further downstream, calling for help, Private Thompson unhesitatingly dove into the water. He succeeded in reaching the girl, who in her fear of drowning, pulled his head under the water. He began towing her to the shore, but in the struggle beneath the water he became so weakened that he was unable to make headway against the strong current. Both Private Thompson and the girl he had vainly attempted to rescue were then carried away downstream where they drowned. His supreme sacrifice in striving to save the life of another is in keeping with the highest traditions of the service.