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 Anthony J. Banaszak, United States Army, for heroism on 20 June 2009, while coming to the aid of two women caught in a strong current in open water. While preparing to depart Malaekanana Beach on Oahu, Hawaii, Captain Banaszak observed the two young women as they attempted to swim to a nearby island, were exhausted by an unusually strong current, and were swept into deeper water. Seeing that they were waving in distress, he acted with complete disregard for his own personal safety, diving into the water and swimming out to assist them. By the time Captain Banaszak reached them, one of the women had already submerged beneath the water due to exhaustion. He quickly dove and located her bringing her back to the surface where he positioned her safely on his back. Grabbing hold of the other struggling swimmer, he then painstakingly swam back into the shallow water above a nearby reef, allowing the fatigued women to walk back to shore. Captain Banaszak’s efforts helped save the lives of both young women and serve as an example for all Soldiers to follow. Captain Banaszak’s heroic and selfless actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect credit upon himself, United States Army Garrison-Hawaii, and the United States Army.