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 Fourth Class Joseph Niegocki (ASN: US-51558947), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy on 25 April 1967 at Wuerzburg, Germany. Specialist Niegocki was returning to his unit from a mail run, in three-quarter-ton truck driven by a fellow soldier, when he noticed a young boy struggling in the water of the Main River. He immediately directed the driver to stop and then ran some 100 meters to the water’s edge. By then the boy was over 15 feet from the bank in a swift current and very cold water some 20 feet deep. Without hesitation or concern for the dangers involved Specialist Niegocki waded into the river and swam to the boy who had already gone under the surface at least once. He succeeded in returning the boy to shore where, assisted by a fellow soldier, he removed the victim from the water and applied artificial respiration until his breathing and actions returned to normal. Specialist Niegocki then placed his field jacket on the boy and quickly and abruptly drove him home. This unselfish and heroic act, performed quietly and modestly, undoubtedly saved the life of a seven year old German national board, and is in the highest tradition of the military service reflecting great credit on Specialist Niegocki and the United States Army.