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 (Infantry) Veloy J. Varner, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy near Sanandaj, Iran, on 14 April 1963, as a member of Company C of the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), which was conducting Mobile Training Team exercises for members of the Imperial Iranian Army. Captain Varner was performing his duties as a team leader of river crossing training when an Iranian soldier slipped off a single rope bridge and plunged into a swift current, which rapidly carried him 200 meters underwater. As the soldier appeared on the surface of the fast flowing river, Captain Varner displayed complete disregard for his own personal safety and, despite the absence of a safety line, unhesitatingly jumped into the river, swam against the current, and managed to reach the victim. After struggling with the panic-stricken soldier in the strong undertow, which at times submerged both of them, he succeeded in towing him to shallow water. Captain Varner’s prompt and here heroic action in this emergency is in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects the utmost credit on himself in the military service.