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 Staff Sergeant Franklin D. Hill, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Company A, 144th Signal Battalion, near Goeppingen, Germany, on 27 May 1963. Sergeant Hill was on the scene when a UH-1B helicopter crashed while lowering an 880-pound object into position on a bell tower of a church. With complete disregard for his own personal safety and despite an impending fuel explosion, he unhesitatingly entered the wreckage and succeeded in stopping the engine which was still running. He then repeatedly displayed his courage and perseverance by re-entering the aircraft three times to evacuate the crew members. Sergeant Hill’s prompt and heroic action in this emergency is in the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army. [This award supersedes award of the Army Commendation Medal for heroism near Goeppingen, Germany, on 27 May 1963, as announced in General Orders Number 103, Headquarters, 4th Armored Division, dated 18 July 1963.]