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 Willie Watts, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Company C, 2d Medium Tank Battalion (Patton), 40th Armor, near the village of Changja-Dong, Korea, on 28 January 1961. While participating in the annual Army Training Test, Private Watts was informed that the tank to which he was assigned as leader was on fire. After standard fire fighting procedures were carried out, the flames abated momentarily, and the crew dismounted to determine the extent of the damage. Suddenly the fire re-flashed and the tank engine began blazing fiercely. Realizing that the immediate danger of an explosion of the fully armed and combat loaded tank threatened the lives and safety of Infantry troops in the area, Private Watts quickly opened the grill doors, and using fire extinguishers brought to him by crew members of other tanks, directed a steady stream of carbon dioxide at the source of the fire. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, he refused to leave the tank, despite the fact that the intense heat had melted the soles of his boots. Private Watts persisted in his efforts, and his unswerving determination and courageous actions permitted sufficient time to organize and direct the firefighting team which brought the blaze under control. The brave and heroic manner in which Private Watts risked his life in this dangerous emergency is in the most cherished traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit on himself in the military service.