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 Lowell H. Horton, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Company A, 140th Signal Battalion, Colorado Army National Guard, on the night of 16 June 1965, in the South Platte River, near Englewood, Colorado. While on guard duty to prevent traffic from crossing the flooded South Platte River via a new bridge and an adjacent older one, Private Horton heard shouts for help from three youths who became trapped in the flood as a surge of water backed up stream. With complete disregard for his own safety, he entered the turbulent waters to assist the boys. As he was waist deep in the water, the older bridge collapsed, swung against the newer one, and surrounded Private Horton and the youths in debris. Despite the obstacles, he succeeded in getting a rope to the three boys who were then pulled out of the river by other Guardsmen on the bank. Although the newer bridge collapsed as he was working his own way to the bank and the swift water washed them down the river, he managed to reach a barbed wire fence at the river’s edge and to pull himself to safety. Private Horton’s heroic conduct, determination, and deep concern for his fellow man are in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.