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 Sergeant James R. Long (ASN: R-759434), United States Army, for heroism, not involving actual conflict with an enemy, displayed while serving with the Detached Enlisted Men’s List, as Instructor, Alabama National Guard, on 15 March 1929 near Elba, Alabama. During an inspection of the flooded area of Alabama by Colonel William E. Persons (Infantry), Detached Officer’s List, and three civilians, the rowboat in which they were crossing the intervening water was struck by a submerged log and capsized precipitating the occupants into the turbulent waters where they gained temporary safety by clinging to the branches of a tree. Sergeant Long, who was in camp nearby, learned of the accident, and with utter disregard of his own danger, went to their assistance. By wading and swimming he reached a position where he could be tied to a rope and let down the stream to a point where, after numerous trials, he was able to pass a rope to Colonel Persons and the other three civilians clinging to the trees, repeating this operation until all were rescued. The heroic conduct and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Long reflect great credit upon himself and the Army.