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 Willie James, Jr., United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy on 21 July 1968 at the Forward Operations Base Mountain Ranger Camp, Dahlonega, Georgia. As Specialist James was performing his duties as 1st cook, a pressurized gas stove exploded and the wooden mess hall caught fire. In his haste to evacuate the burning building, a fellow soldier slipped and fell on the burning floor. The soldier regained his balance but slipped and fell again. It was evident to Specialist James that the soldier whose clothing was already a mass of flames, could not get out of the burning building without assistance. Specialist James re-entered the burning mess hall with complete disregard for his own personal safety. He pulled the soldier out of the building. He then put out the flames on the victim’s body by rolling him in the dirt and beating the flames out with his bare hands, disregarding his own clothing which had begun to burn. The prompt actions displayed by Specialist James in this emergency aided in saving a fellow soldier from death I fire. Specialist James’ unselfish and courageous efforts are worthy of emulation and reflect distinct credit upon him and the military service.