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 Specialist Sixth Class John W. Racer, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy on 31 March 1967 at the Holiday Inn, Panama City, Florida. A fire had enveloped one of the rooms and trapped its occupants, a Mrs. Darryl Cope of Panama City. Specialist Racer upon noticing smoke seeping over the door of the room began pounding on it but received no response. Then Specialist Racer pounded on the door of the adjoining room in order to arouse its occupants. He then ran across the parking lot to the Motel office, alerted the night clerk, and had him return with them bringing his master key. When the master key proved useless, due to the fact that night lock was secured by the occupant, Specialist Racer again pounded on the door. He ran back to the office and assured notification of both the fire department and the ambulance/rescue squad. Specialist Racer was at the door when another member of the Field Band crawled back out of the room after his first attempt at rescuing the occupant proved fruitless. Specialist Racer, grabbed one end of the blanket offered him by the other rescuer and the two of them crawled into the room. Specialist Racer grabbed the woman’s wrists and dragged her, backed out of the room with his fellow rescuer leading the way. Therefore, the occupant’s life was saved. By Specialist Racer’s quick reaction to the situation, further damage to life and property was avoided. Specialist Racer’s heroic action reflects the highest credit upon himself in the United States Army.