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 Samuel G. Suarez (ASN: RA-38763490), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy on 13 August 1966 near the town of Natalia, Texas. At approximately 1855 hours while driving his automobile north on U.S. Highway 81, Sergeant Suarez witnessed a head-on collision involving a station wagon traveling in front of him, and a compact car traveling in the opposite direction. Immediately following the collision the compact car burst into flames, and seconds later, the fire spread to the station wagon. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Sergeant Suarez left his vehicle and ran to the scene. Although both vehicles were burning and had come to rest only several feet apart, Sergeant Suarez ignored the imminent danger of an explosion and courageously went about the task of rescuing the trapped inhabitants of the vehicles. Both front doors of the station wagon were jammed shut by the force of the collision. Starting on the driver’s side, Sergeant Suarez pried open the door and removed the driver to a safe place on the side of the highway. He returned to the vehicle, pried open the front seat passenger door and removed a small girl and a woman from the front seat. By this time, flames from the gasoline fire were engulfing the rear portion of the station wagon. Sergeant Suarez again returned to the vehicle and in two trips removed two teenage boys from the rear seat. Having determined that no more passengers remained in the station wagon, he turned his attention to the other vehicle. He found one man had been thrown out of the vehicle, but due to the intense heat and a series of explosions he was unable to determine if anyone else remained inside. Sergeant Suarez’s fast thinking and quick action saved five people from probable death. His courage and complete disregard for his own personal safety are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military and reflect great credit upon himself and upon the United States Army.