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 Heywood R. Thompson, Jr., United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Company B, Faculty Group (Tactics), on 13 July 1964 at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Sergeant Thompson was performing his duties as an Assistant Instructor in the throwing of live fragmentation grenades on the Hand Grenade Range when one of the trainees released the safety lever of a grenade and then froze when ordered to throw it. With complete disregard for his own safety, Sergeant Thompson swiftly seized the activated grenade from the trainee’s hand, hurled it into the throwing bay, and pulled the trainee behind the bay’s safety wall seconds before the grenade exploded in the impact area. Through his courage and spontaneous reaction to a dangerous situation, he averted possible injury and loss of life to personnel in the area. Sergeant Thompson’s prompt and heroic action reflects distinct credit upon himself and the military service. [This award supersedes the award of the Army Commendation Medal to Sergeant Thompson for heroism on 13 July 1964 as announced and General Orders Number 254, Headquarters Fort Polk, Fort Polk, Louisiana, dated 8 October 1964.]