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 John E. Cordell, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Company B, 2d Medium Tank Battalion, 32nd Armor, on 23 June 1961 at Ayres Kaserne, Kirchgoens, Germany. While his unit was performing scheduled maintenance in the Battalion Tank Park, a high velocity armor piercing round exploded in the ready rack of an M-48A1 Main Battle Tank and started a serious fire in the fighting compartment. Although an explosion in the tank which was loaded with ammunition and fuel appeared imminent, Sergeant Cordell unhesitatingly and immediately climbed on the right sponson boxes of the tank and fought the fire with portable fire extinguishers. He directed other members of the command to bring additional extinguishers, and continued to fight the fire from the loader’s hatch until it was extinguished. Sergeant Cordell’s complete disregard for his own safety and courageous action in this emergency reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.