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 Staff Sergeant Raymond W. Townsend, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy while serving as Forward Support Platoon Sergeant, Company B, 126th Maintenance Battalion, on 20 April 1964, at the Furth Army Airfield, Nuremberg, Germany. When Sergeant Townsend witnessed an accident in which a helicopter on the ground became uncontrollable, reared upward, and then fell back to the ground with the engine wide open, he rushed to the scene to assist the pilot who was being thrown about the cockpit by the violent thrashing of the main rotor blade striking the ground. With complete disregard for his own safety, Sergeant Townsend ignored the imminent gasoline explosion and continued to expose himself to a storm of flying debris and metal parts when one of the rotor blades crashed into the cockpit as he pulled the injured pilot clear of the aircraft moments before it exploded and caught fire. Sergeant Townsend’s heroic conduct, prompt actions, and deep concern for a fellow soldier are in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.