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 Michael Gropper, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the 25th Transportation Company (Direct Support), Fort Bragg, North Carolina, while serving as a helicopter repair man during a unit field troop test at Camp MacKall, North Carolina, on 17 March 1961. Upon observing an Army L-20 aircraft crash and burst into flames in a wooded area during an attempted takeoff from a field airstrip, Private Gropper, together with another fellow soldier, raced immediately to the scene. Unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, he assisted in removing the dazed copilot from the burning airplane, and in carrying him to a safe location. He returned quickly to the blazing wreckage in an effort to extricate the pilot who was pinned inside. Despite the fact that the intensity of the heat and the raging fire prevented his several attempts to enter the plane, he persisted in his efforts until he was ordered away. At an increased risk of his life, he returned to the scene and continued efforts to enter and remove the pilot, and remained until he was again ordered to withdraw. Private Gropper’s unselfish heroism in this dangerous situation is in the most cherished traditions of the United States Army, and reflects great credit on himself and the military service.