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 Nathaniel Hocker, United States Army, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, on the Island of Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, on 24 March 1944. When an airplane crashed and burst into flames near his gun position on the Island of Oahu, Sergeant Hocker rushed to the scene and at the risk of his life helped to remove the seriously injured pilot from the burning plane. In disregarding his own safety to save the life of the pilot, he displayed heroism reflecting the highest traditions of the military service.