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 Robert A. Unruh, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the 188th Military Police Company, United States Army Post Area Command, United States Forces, Europe, on 2 December 1962, at La Pallice Port, La Rochelle, France. While performing security guard duty at the Port, Private Unruh heard a call for help coming from the direction of a docked Military Sea Transportation Services vessel. Upon arriving at the scene, he observed that a seaman had fallen off the gangway and was wedged in an 18 inch aperture between the ship and the pier, approximately fifteen feet below the peer level. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Private Unruh unhesitatingly attempted to rescue the seaman despite the grave danger of being crushed by any movement of the ship in the choppy waters. He courageously descended a pilot ladder which was lowered between the ship and the dock and, in the midst of the extremely hazardous circumstances, secured a rope around the seaman and had him hoisted to safety. Private Unruh’s prompt and heroic action in this emergency are in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. (This award supersedes the award of the Army Commendation Metal to Private Unruh for heroism on to December 1962 as announced in General Orders Number 32, Headquarters, United States Army Communications Zone, Europe, dated to April 1963.)