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 [then Private] Gust L. Blavos, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy in helping to save the lives of 12 persons from a burning building in Fitchburg, Massachusetts in the early morning hours of 21 November 1967. Being awakened at 0230 hours by a crackling sound and smoke seeping through the ceiling of his apartment, he quickly went outside the building and discovered that the roof was in flames. Returning to his apartment, he aroused his wife and instructed her to call the fire department while he went through the building, waking the other sleeping tenants and guided them to safety. One of the occupants, a deaf woman, required forced entry into her quarters in order to advise her of the danger and safely lead her from the burning building. Specialist Four Blavos made three trips into the building before the roof collapsed, preventing re-entry. The Fitchburg Fire Department credits Specialists Fourth Class Blavos, by his timely action and disregard for his own safety, with the individual rescue of 12 occupants of the building, four of whom would certainly have perished. Specialist Fourth Class Blavos’ heroic act in courageous conduct in this very hazardous situation or in the highest traditions of the United States Army and great credit upon them in the military service.