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 Willie G. Christian, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Battery B, 1st Howitzer Battalion (8″), 17th Artillery, in the vicinity of the village of Sarang-Ni near the Han Tan Chon River in Korea, on 24 May 1960. While undergoing unit practice for the annual battery test, Sergeant Christian was informed that a field mine had accidentally exploded and seriously injured three Republic of Korea civilians. When a request was made for assistance in behalf of the victims, Sergeant Christian immediately volunteered his services. With full knowledge that the area at the scene of the explosion contained armed mines, and despite the existing possibility of a mine detonating in the field at any time, he assisted in the evacuation of the injured Korean nationals, and aided Republic of Korea Army soldiers in controlling civilians in the vicinity. The complete disregard which Sergeant Christian displayed for his own personal safety, and the unselfish and courageous actions which he manifested by risking his life in this dangerous emergency are in the most cherished traditions of the United States Army, and reflect distinct credit upon himself and the military service.