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 [then Specialist Fourth Class] Hans W. Puhl, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of 287th Military Police Company (Separate), Special Troops, Berlin Brigade, on 13 September 1964 in the City of West Berlin, Germany. When Private Puhl heard rifle fire along the infamous Berlin Wall, he raced toward the direction of the sound, dashed into a building, and ran to a second floor window for better observation of the situation. Upon discovering that a wounded East Berlin refugee was attempting an escape over the wall for his freedom, Private Puhl unhesitatingly went to the wall to assist him. With complete disregard for his own safety and ignoring the heavy rifle fire from the East Berlin border guards, Private Puhl pulled himself to the top of the wall and determined the exact position of the refugee. After dropping to the ground and throwing a rope over the wall where West Berlin firemen had cut a hole in the barbed wire, he then bravely mounted a ladder and, while again exposing himself to the East Berlin gunfire, instructed the refugee to secure the rope under his arms. Although he succeeded in pulling the wounded man to the top of the wall with the aid of American personnel and German firemen on the scene, the refugee collapsed at this point and was in danger of falling back into East Berlin. Private Puhl then courageously faced the concentrated gunfire for the third time to grasp the refugee’s clothing and pulled him to safety. His fortitude, determination, and deep concern for the welfare and freedom of mankind led to the successful rescue of the refugee and symbolize the American Soldier’s dedication to the principles of democracy. Private Puhl’s hero or conduct in this dangerous border incident reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army. [This award supersedes the award of the Army Commendation Medal to Private Puhl for heroism on 13 September 1964 as announced in General Orders Number 79, Headquarters United States Army, Berlin, APO 742, U.S. Forces, dated 25 September 1964.]