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 Private First Class Ralph P. Hayes (ASN: 20938890), United States Army, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy while serving with Headquarters Battery, Harbor Defenses of the Columbia, Cost Artillery Corps. Private Hayes was embarking on an Army harbor craft docked at the Fort Stevens, Oregon, boat basin, on 8 October 1945, when a violent explosion demolished the deck and superstructure of the vessel, blowing him back onto the dock and pinning a civilian passenger in the wreckage. As flaming gasoline enveloped the boat, he and a comrade crawled aboard and extricated the unconscious passenger from the burning debris. They returned despite intense heat and grave danger of further explosions, unmoored the boat, and pushed it into open water away from the pier and nearby vessels. By their swift action, the heroic soldiers rescued the trapped civilian and saved valuable Government property from destruction. Private First Class Hayes’ conduct reflects great credit on himself and the military service.