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 James K. Barker (ASN: RA-12651355), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion, 23rd Infantry ( Mechanized), who, through a hero look effort that endangered his own life, was largely responsible for saving the life of a member of a scout platoon on 29 March 1968. The victim, having become stuck in the quicksand-mud near the Imjin River was soon engulfed in the rapidly rising tide of the river. When it became apparent that the man could not be pulled free by ordinary means, Specialist Barker, realizing he could himself become trapped in the mud, entered the water to the point where the man was rapidly sinking. Specialist Baker remained with him for one and one-half hours, at times disappearing from sight in the rising tide, in an effort to keep the victim from going below the river’s surface. Due largely to his efforts, he and the victim were eventually pulled from the deadly trap by a rescue helicopter. Specialist Baker’s heroic effort served as an inspiration to more than a score of rescuers on the scene and brought credit upon himself and the military service. [This award supersedes the Army Commendation Medal awarded to Specialist Barker as announced in General Orders Number 89, Headquarters, Eighth United States Army, APO San Francisco 96301, dated 7 June 1968.]