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 Rex A. Smith (ASN: 6396304), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, while serving with Military Police Company, Hawaiian Division, in a mountain climbing accident in the Waianae Mountain Range, Oahu Territory of Hawaii, on 23 June 1940. When a young woman fell from a steep-mountain trail and disappeared from sight under the overhanging cliffs below, Private Smith, despite the fact that night was fast approaching, with complete disregard of his personal safety, voluntarily permitted himself to be lowered by a knotted rope for more than 600 feet from a steep and hazardous ridge and went to her assistance. On reaching the base of the cliff and finding that the woman had been killed by the fall, Private Smith quickly secured the crushed and battered body, tying it to the rope above himself and guiding it with difficulty in the darkness around the irregularities in the face of the cliff brought it safely with him to the top when he was hauled up by the men above. The courage displayed by Private Smith on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.