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 Jerry Allen Black, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the 2d Missile Battalion (CORPORAL), 81st Artillery, on 23 August 1962, in the vicinity of Eltersdorf, Germany. While en route to a field position on a weekly training exercise, Private Black was the assistant operator of an M-2 Erector, the vehicle which was transporting a CORPORAL missile. Suddenly, the vehicle suffered mechanical failure, veered off an Autobahn overpass, plunged through guardrails, and rolled down a 20 foot embankment. In the havoc of the crash, the individual cabs of the driver and the assistant driver were crushed, a tremendous amount of gasoline was spilled, and the engine burst into flames. Although Private Black sustained a painful hand injury, he extricated himself from the wreckage, and then, unhesitatingly evacuated his injured comrade from the burning vehicle. With full knowledge of an impending gasoline explosion and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, he swiftly returned to the blazing wreckage and fought the fire with hand fire extinguishers. Through his effectiveness in helping to control the blaze until members of the convoy rendered relief, costly equipment, which was essential to the successful operation of a CORPORAL Battalion, was salvaged. Private Black’s initiative, courageous action, and deep regard for life and property are in the finest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.