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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps), [then Second Lieutenant] Paul M. Shuford (ASN: 0-710331), United States Army Air Forces, for heroism as a member of the 484th Bombardment Squadron, 505th Bombardment Group, TWENTIETH Air Force, after his B-29 aircraft had been forced to ditch in the Pacific Ocean on 10 February 1945. Lieutenant Shuford was Navigator on a raid against the Nakajima aircraft factory at Ota, Japan, where his Superfortress sustained such critical battle damage from enemy fighters and flak that a return flight to base in the Marianas was impossible. As soon as ditching had been accomplished and forward motion stopped, he prepared to leave the sinking bomber through the engineer’s escape hatch. Just as he was about to leave, he heard cries for assistance from the Radio Operator. Heedless of his own danger, Lieutenant Shuford turned back, waded through water shoulder deep to the radio room and assisted the dazed and seriously injured radio operator to climb into the tunnel. Then, with the aid of the engineer, who was on the top of the fuselage, he removed astrodome, and the wounded man was lifted to safety. Through his heroism, Lieutenant Shuford was largely instrumental in saving the life of a fellow crew member. By his courage and his actions he reflected great credit on himself and the Army Air Forces.