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 First Class Howard R. Eldridge (ASN: RA-14663146), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy on 6 March 1968 at Camp Bobby Thomas near Gerterblum, Germany, by saving several soldiers from death or extreme bodily injury. While acting as a Platoon Sergeant during Floating Bridge Training, Sergeant Eldredge, without regard for his personal safety, repeatedly waded into the extremely cold water of the Rhine River to rescue several of the 45 soldiers that had been thrown in the river from a light tactical raft accident. The courage and foresight demonstrated that Sergeant Eldredge were in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect the utmost credit upon himself, the 249th Engineer Battalion, and the United States Army.