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 Major (Field Artillery) Vedder B. Driscoll, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of United States Army Field Detachment “R”, United States Forces, on 5 June 1965, in the vicinity of the Gschwand Bridge, Loisach River, Germany. While on a Rod and Gun picnic with other military personnel and their dependants, Major Driscoll heard the screams of alarm from children standing on a footbridge and then saw the 9-year old son of an American soldier being carried away by the turbulent waters of the flood-swollen Loisach River. With full knowledge of the swift current, the extreme depths, and the huge protruding boulders in the cold river, he completely ignored his own safety and jumped into the river in an attempt to recover the child. Although slammed into boulders and driftwood, he fought the treacherous undertow and came within 15 feet of the drowning boy as he, himself was swept onto a large rock in the middle of the stream. He then struggled from the rock to the river bank where he ran downstream approximately 250 yards in pursuit of the boy when he was prevented from going further by a barricade of fallen trees. Despite his extreme exhaustion, he returned to the picnic area and helped organize and conduct a futile search for the missing boy. Major Driscoll’s heroic conduct, determination, and deep concern for the welfare of others are in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.