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 Sergeant First Class Arthur W. Yerks, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the Cleveland Area Command, XX United States Army Corps (Reserve), during a major flood that Eastlake and Willoughby Hills, Ohio, on 21 and 22 January 1959. While voluntarily participating in the rescue and evacuation of civilians stranded in flooded areas, Sergeant Yerks, together with an officer member of his unit, repeatedly entered the flooded areas and, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, assisted in the rescue of approximately 35 persons. Despite the fact that Sergeant Yerks had never driven in amphibious truck (DUKW) in water before, he expertly maneuvered his vehicle over dangerous terrain and in swift floodwaters heavily laden with floating ice and debris. On one occasion, together with the assistance of a member of his unit, he accomplished the rescue of a man stranded in a tree approximately one-hundred yards from the shore. Attaching his DUKW to a line from a wench of a 2 1/2 ton truck to prevent it from being swept downstream in the swift current which momentarily threatened to capsize the vehicle, he made his way to the stranded man, helped the man aboard the DUKW, and skillfully maneuvered his way to safety. Although exhausted, cold, and wet from many trips into the icy floodwaters, he continued to assist in rescue and evacuation operations for almost 20 hours without rest or sleep. Sergeant Yerk’s unselfish and courageous actions in this dangerous situation reflect great credit on himself and the military service.