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 Ralph McCowan (ASN: RA-15425459), United States Army, for heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy of the United States as a member of Medical Company, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action on 16 August 1951 in the vicinity of Wanggu, Korea. On this date friendly tanks were firing on a distant enemy bunker and Companies G and H’s heavy weapons platoons were providing supporting fire for the tanks. Sergeant McCowan, assigned to a machine gun section, was assisting in building a bunker position near the tanks when one of them exploded. Without a moment’s hesitation, he advanced to the flaming tank and with complete indifference to the furnace-like heat and the impending danger of the tank exploding again, he began to remove the injured men from the wreckage. In the process of rescuing the trapped men, Sergeant McCowan himself was burned, but still he continued to assist the crewmen from the tank. After evacuating each man to a safe position he administered medical aid and as a result of his quick action the seriousness of the injuries were held to a minimum. Sergeant McCowan’s heroism in a time of emergency reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.