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 Lieutenant (Coast Artillery Corps) John F. McDonald, United States Army, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, on 5 September 1944, at Hueco, New Mexico. On that date, Lieutenant McDonald voluntarily entered the pit of a 40-mm. gun where an explosion had occurred, seized a loose high-explosive projectile and carried it to a place of safety. He had been assisting the Battery Commander in practice firing at the time of the explosion, and, ignoring the fact that loose powder was on fire in the gun chamber which might have detonated several rounds of high-explosive ammunition, he unhesitatingly risked his life in order to prevent further explosions. The heroism displayed by Lieutenant McDonald on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.