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 Specialist Fourth Class Lewis R. Ashton, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Company A, United States Army Garrison, White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, on 22 August 1963, in the vicinity of the White Sands Missile Range. Specialist Ashton was serving as an Aerial Impact Spotter on an OH-23D helicopter when it crashed, trapped the pilot under the wreckage, and started to burn. After freeing himself, and despite an impending explosion from the fire which grew in intensity from fuel spilling over the host exhaust system, Specialist Ashton displayed complete disregard for his own personal safety by remaining at the disaster scene and putting the fire out with a hand fire extinguisher. Although the aircraft was precariously positioned and threatened to roll over, he then used his bare hands to dig the earth from under the pilot’s arm which was pinned between the wreckage and the ground. After extricating the pilot and taking precautions against another outbreak of fire, he unhesitatingly walked eight miles without water, through rough terrain and the desert to get help. His courageous efforts, sound judgment, and perseverance in this emergency saved the live of the pilot and prevented further damage to the aircraft. Specialist Ashton’s prompt and heroic actions reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.