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 Russell L. Westerfield, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the 226th Signal Company, 4th United States Army Missile Command (Air Transportable), on 16 December 1962, in the vicinity of the Soyang River, City of Chun Chon, Korea. Private Westerfield observed two young Korean ice skaters fall through the ice into the swiftly flowing deep water of the Soyang River. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, he unhesitatingly entered the icy water in an effort to rescue the panic stricken youths. Upon reaching the edge of the ice, he managed to grasp one of the frightened boys, and with the aid of a pole extended to him by a companion, pulled the boy through the water to the bank of the river. Private Westerfield’s prompt and courageous action in this emergency is in the highest tradition of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.