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 John B. Sargent, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Battery A, 3d Missile Battalion (NIKE-HERCULES), 57th Artillery, in the City of Stanton, California on 20 September 1960. A civilian tree service man working some 25 feet above the ground came in contact with a high voltage power line and was floundering in a semi-conscious state in a hydraulic bucket directly under the hot wire. The bucket controls had jammed and were inoperable from the ground, leaving the man in constant danger of touching the hot line again and being electrocuted. Immediately noticing this hazardous situation, and fully aware of the danger involved, Sergeant Sargent voluntarily engaged in an attempt to rescue the victim. Realizing that the many quickly gathering people might complicate the rescue and result in additional casualties, Sergeant Sargent restrained the crowd and without hesitation or concern for his own personal safety, climbed the tree to the stricken man. Working under circumstances wherein the slightest miscalculation could have brought certain and sudden death, he remained in the vicinity of the highly charged wire and assisted in extricating the man from under the wires. After the man was safely lowered to the ground, Sergeant Sargent promptly administered artificial respiration and first aid to treat the victim for shock. His unselfish courage and outstanding heroism in this sudden emergency are in the most cherished traditions of the United States Army, and reflect distinct credit upon himself and the military service.