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 Willie F. Hastings (ASN: RA-53342718), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as an Assistant Instructor on the hand grenade committee, Committee Group, Fort Polk, Louisiana. On 28 June 1966, at approximately 1700 hours Sergeant Hastings observed a trainee in bay number six perform the scheduled dry run practice throw of a live fragmentation hand grenade which was accomplished without incident. During the preparation for the live throw, the armed grenade was dropped by the trainee, falling into a concrete drainage culvert two feet to the rear of the throwing bay. From the time the grenade was dropped, Sergeant Hastings had no more than four and one half seconds to retrieve the grenade and throw it into a safe area. Without hesitation Sergeant Hastings picked up the grenade and threw it downrange into the safety of the impact area. Due only to his discourage, quick reaction, and total disregard for his own safety, did Sergeant Hastings save the life of the trainee involved and reduce the possibility of severe injury to other personal in the immediate vicinity. This heroic act performed by Sergeant Hastings is in the highest tradition of the United States Army. [This award supersedes award of the Army Accommodation Medal with ÒVÓ Device for heroism on 28 June 1966 as announced in General Orders Number 138, Headquarters Fort Polk, Louisiana, dated 8 August 1966.)]