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 Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Walter R. Beardslee (ASN: 0-5331702), United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an armed enemy in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Detachment A-106, Company C, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Second Lieutenant Beardslee distinguished himself by valorous actions on 3 August 1967 while serving with the Special Forces at Camp Ba To. Responding to shouts from the far side of the camp, Lieutenant Beardslee rushed to the area and found that a raging fire had erupted in an ammunition storage pit. Flames had already engulfed half of the thirty-foot trench containing at least sixty high explosive artillery shells. After making a quick estimate of the perilous situation, he raced across the camp to the truck park, jumped into a truck and drove to the water trailer. With help from several soldiers, Lieutenant Beardslee hitched the heavy trailer to the truck and sped back to the burning ammunition pit. Even though he knew the live artillery rounds could explode at any second, he organized a bucket brigade with himself at the edge of the trench. Completely disregarding his own safety, he fearlessly continued throwing water on the blaze until the potential disaster was averted. Second Lieutenant Beardslee’s heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.