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 Corporal Rodney M. Preston, United States Army, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy, while serving as a member of a Medical Detachment with a Coast Artillery (Anti-Aircraft) Battalion, at Porto Empedocle, Sicily, when on 11 October 1943, ammunition on a barge and in a truck at the port exploded, and the barge burned furiously. Responding to a call for emergency medical assistance, Corporal Preston was one of five soldiers who rushed to the scene. With utter disregard for his own safety, he climbed aboard the burning ammunition barge, where he found a number of badly injured and maimed civilians. In the midst of exploding ammunition and while faced with the imminent danger of further major explosions he, with the aid of members of his detachment, succeeded in collecting the maimed and injured and in transferring them to the shore for first aid and evacuation. Through his efficient performance of duty and utter disregard of danger and personal risk, many lives were saved. The heroism displayed by Corporal Preston on this occasion reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.