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 Private First Class William L. Chandler (ASN: 6658078), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, while serving with Service Company, 11th Infantry, during a fire at Fort McClellan, Anniston, Alabama, at 12:15 a.m., 17 January 1940. On hearing screams for help from a noncommissioned officer struggling to escape from a burning tent, Private First Class Chandler, with utter disregard of his personal safety, immediately ran to his aid. Reaching the flaming tent just as the dazed noncommissioned officer, overcome by the flames, fell back into the fire. Private First Class Chandler made his way among the burning ropes and canvas, pulled the semiconscious man out of the blazing mass, threw him to the ground and fell upon him, thus extinguishing the flames in the stricken man’s clothing. Although the noncommissioned officer died later from his burns, the heroic action of Private First Class Chandler in rescuing him alive from the burning tent is characteristic of that splendid standard upon which the traditions of our Military Establishment are founded and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.