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 Captain (Armor) William A. McGinnis, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of the United States Army Reserve Officer’s Training Corps Instructor Group, University of Massachusetts, XIII United States Army Corps, Amherst, Massachusetts, on 24 October 1963, at Shutesbury, Massachusetts. When a neighbor’s 10-year-old girl informed Captain McGinnis that her home was on fire, her parents were away, and that her little brother and sisters were still inside, he ran to the blazing house to rescue them. Upon entering the burning structure, he located one child near the flaming doorway and swiftly took him to safety outside. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, he again entered the house, found a small girl near the bottom of the stairs, carried her to the kitchen door, and pushed her out. Continuing the search, he discovered a 5-year-old girl on the flaming stairs, and carried her to safety. Despite the heavy oil fumes, dense smoke, and blazing stairs, he unhesitatingly re-entered the dwelling and succeeded in reaching the second floor where he found a 3-year-old child and carried her out moments before the entire house was engulfed in flames. Through his perseverance, brave efforts, and deep concern for human welfare, all of the children were evacuated from their burning home before a fire department truck arrived on the scene to extinguish the blaze. Captain McGinnis’ prompt and heroic actions 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 award of the Army Commendation Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster) awarded for heroism on 24 October 1963, as announced in General Orders Number 146, Headquarters, XIII U.S. Army Corps, Fort Devens, Massachusetts, dated 9 December 1963.]