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 Technical Sergeant William E. Branaman (ASN: 19078048), United States Army, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, while serving with Headquarters Troop, 2d Constabulary Regiment, on 11 March 1947, in the railroad yard at Freising, Germany. While engaged in supervising the unloading of a tank car of gasoline, a fire suddenly broke out in the pump, exploding some nearby containers and scattering fire to within two feet of the open manhole on top of the tank car. With complete disregard for his own safety, Sergeant Branaman grasped a fire extinguisher, climbed to the top of the car, grabbed the blazing hose with his bare hands, painfully burning himself, and cast it away from the car. By his courageous action at the risk of his life, Sergeant Branaman brought great credit to himself and the military service.