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 Corporal Robert F. De Zell, United States Army, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, in the Central Pacific Area, on the night of 15 October 1943, near the field positions of his unit. A truck, carrying twenty enlisted men, which was being driven up a steep mountain road, struck a soft shoulder and overturned, pinning an enlisted man underneath. When the rescue party succeeded sufficiently in raising the truck, which was resting at a precarious position on the edge of a steep embankment, Corporal De Zell, with utter disregard for his own safety, crawled beneath and freed the man, thereby saving his life. During this time the overturned chassis was at such a hazardous angle that the slightest downward movement would have resulted in the crushing of both. The heroism displayed by Corporal De Zell on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.