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 Edward J. Woodfire (ASN: 6746638), United States Army, for heroism, not involving actual conflict with an enemy, displayed while serving with Battery A, 12th Coast Artillery, at Fort Monroe, Virginia, 4 April 1931. When an explosion occurred on board the United States Public Health Service boat Heron, setting fire to it, Private Woodfire, acting as a coxswain of a gasoline yawl, together with the engineer, took a line from the Heron and towed it into deep water away from other Government vessels and property. He then assisted in bringing the yawl alongside the burning boat and removing its pilot to a place of safety. His courage and skillful handling of the yawl in the face of the grave danger of further explosion of the gasoline tanks on board the Heron reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.