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 Master Sergeant Richard C. Lewis (AFSN: 18175437), United States Air Force, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the Idaho Nuclear Power Field Office, National Reactor Testing Station, Idaho, near Idaho Falls, Idaho, on 3 January 1961. Sergeant Lewis was at his residence in the City of Idaho Falls, when he was informed that a severe explosion had occurred within a highly radioactive core of an SL-1 Nuclear Power Plant. He quickly traveled approximately 40 miles at night to the scene of the accident and, upon arrival, found that an effort had failed to locate and rescue an enlisted man known to be inside the reactor building at the time of the explosion. Fully aware of the extremely high radiation rate existing within and surrounding the area of the explosion, and with complete knowledge of the threatening possibility of another similar explosion, Sergeant Lewis entered the building in an effort to located the missing man. Together with three other individuals, he remained inside the building and, without regard for his own personal safety, exposed himself to the dangerous radiation until the missing man crew member was located. Only when it was in fact proved that the man was dead did he withdraw from the contaminated area. The prompt action, presence of mind and unselfish heroism displayed by Sergeant Lewis in this sudden emergency are in the most cherished traditions of the military service, and reflect distinct credit upon himself and the military service.