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 Sergeant James E. Vetzel, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Company E, 724th Maintenance Battalion, on 24 January 1964, at Henry Kaserne, Munich Germany. Sergeant Vetzel displayed a fortitude and sound judgment while participating in an attempt to extinguish a fire that had started in one of the trucks in the center of three columns of trucks which were parked outside a shop area. When he observed that the fire was getting completely out of control, he requested a fellow soldier to move one of the vehicles in the center column. Then, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, he jumped into the burning truck and drove it out of the formation to an open field. Although suffering from smoke inhalation, he quickly realized the impossibility of salvaging the burning truck and called for assistance to help him disengage the trailer. Through his initiative and courageous actions, he averted the loss of expensive government equipment and possibly injury to personnel on the scene. Sergeant Vetzel’s heroic conduct in this emergency is in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service. [This award supersedes the award of the Army Commendation Medal to Sergeant Vetzel for heroism on 24 January 1964 as announced in General Orders Number 40, Headquarters, 24th Infantry Division, dated 14 April 1964.]