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 Martin E. Hachfeld, United States Army, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, in Algeria, in April 1943. Sergeant Hachfeld saved from extensive injury and death a fellow soldier who, while cleaning a machine gun, accidentally ignited the cleaning fluid. Sergeant Hachfeld entered the burning room, removed the injured soldier and smothered the flames on the soldier’s clothing before mortal injuries were suffered. The heroism displayed by Sergeant Hachfeld on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.