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 Private First Class Edward Szmansky (ASN: 36971539), United States Army, for heroism involving voluntary risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy while serving with Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 274th Infantry Regiment, 70th Infantry Division, on 17 April 1945, in Gonsenheim, Germany. When a gasoline stove exploded, igniting a pan of gasoline and the clothing of two comrades, Private First Class Szmansky stopped one of the panicky men from jumping out of a third story window. Seizing the flaming pan from the other man, he threw it on the floor. Falling to extinguish the flames on this man with his own body, he quickly smothered them with a table cloth. He then dragged the two men from the room, returned and, despite his painfully burned hands, assisted in putting out the fire in the room. His prompt action in all probability saved the lives of both men.