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 Staff Sergeant Earl W. Leatherman, United States Air Force, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy on 18 November 1951 while stationed with the 344th Bombardment Squadron (M), 98th Bombardment Wing (M) (ADVON). On that date, a B-29 aircraft crashed on take off, immediately bursting into flames. Sergeant Leatherman, dental technician on a crash crew, arrived on the scene after one 500-pound bomb had already exploded. Despite the threat of unexploded bombs in the burning aircraft, and exploding .50 caliber machine gun shells, Sergeant Leatherman, disregarding his personal safety, dragged one crew member to a nearby shelter ditch, where he found two other crew members and a Japanese guard. After sending the guard for an ambulance, Sergeant Leatherman left the ditch himself to continue his search for additional wounded crew, administering first-aid under extremely dangerous conditions. The exceptional courage and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Leatherman were in keeping with the highest traditions of the service and reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.