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 Second Lieutenant (Signal Corps) Billy D. Addison, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy on 28 August 1962, near Randel, Germany, while serving as Platoon Leader, 3d Platoon, Company B, 143rd Signal Battalion. Upon entering the town of Rendel, a convoy of 10 vehicles was halted by falling debris, roaming livestock, and blocked streets resulting from a fire engulfing all of the barns and buildings on three sides of a court and the houses in the center of it. Lieutenant Addison managed to get through with a two and one-half ton truck and immediately instructed the members of the platoon to aid the people in saving their property. When he observed an elderly woman attempting to re-enter a collapsing house, he ignored his own personal safety, entered the hazardous dwelling and discovered a panic-stricken boy who refused to be moved. He then forcibly removed him and placed him with the local citizens for safe watching. Under his inspiring direction, the platoon then assisted the combined firefighting force in extinguishing the fires and preventing them from spreading to the rest of the town. Lieutenant Addison’s sound judgment and heroic actions in this dangerous situation are in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.