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 Weeks (ASN: RA-11861726), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy while serving with the 189th Assault Helicopter Company on 16 December 1968. Private First Class Weeks distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while hovering in a re-fueling area, in Dak To. Private First Class Weeks’ ship experienced a complete tail rotor failure. It spun 30 feet into the air, crashed upside down, and caught fire. He immediately began an organized evacuation of the ten panic stricken Vietnamese civilian passengers. One woman still clutching her young child was pinned in the mangled wreckage and refused to let anyone take the infant from her. Private First Class Weeks, in the midst of an aircraft that could explode at any time, calmly and patiently persuaded the woman to give up her child. With the infant safely away from the wreckage, he returned to the aircraft, and using his body for leverage, freed the trapped woman. He returned repeatedly to the aircraft until he was sure all passengers were safe from ham. His courageous actions resulted in the saving of a Vietnamese mother and her child along with her fellow passengers. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.