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 Captain Robert D. Harbert, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Special Troops, United States Army Aviation Center, at Fort Rucker, Alabama, on 5 March 1961. Awakened at 0500 hours by screams for help Captain Harbert discovered quarters across the street were afire. He ran immediately to the scene and learned that a young girl and her father were inside the burning house. Entering the rear of the house by removing a screen and breaking a window Captain Harbert, despite thick acrid smoke and intense heat, located the sleeping girl and removed her from the building. Captain Harbert then attempted to re-enter through the rear window in search of the girl’s father but was not successful. Together with a fellow officer Captain Harbert attempted entry through the front of the house but by that time the smoke was so dense and the flames so intense that further efforts were impossible. Captain Harbert’s prompt action and presence of mind in an emergency are in keeping with the best traditions of the United States Army and reflect distinct credit on himself and the military service.