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 Staff Sergeant Cleon C. Schimmelfing (ASN: 12139660), United States Army Air Forces, for heroism at the scene of a burning aircraft at the Image Control Tower, Dagupan Strip, Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 18 April 1945. Sergeant Schimmelfing was on duty in the control tower at Image Strip when a transport ship crashed during its take-off and burst into flames. Its fifteen passengers had been trapped beneath the scattered baggage. Although the plane was in immediate danger of exploding, Sergeant Schimmelfing courageously entered the burning wreckage a number of times to aid in the rescue of the dazed and unconscious passengers.