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 Ervin A. Goerdt (ASN: NG-55559613), United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy on 1 July 1968. While serving as Platoon Sergeant with his unit during the Annual Field Training Period, 1968, Sergeant Goerdt was present when, during tank refueling operations, gasoline became ignited and flames quickly enveloped the vehicle being serviced. The tank commander, standing in close proximity to his tank, was set ablaze by the exploding gasoline, and fell to the ground in a flaming pool. With the tank ablaze, and the truck from which the tank had been receiving fuel standing adjacent to the burning tank and in momentary danger of also exploding, Sergeant Goerdt, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, and knowing full well the imminent dangers involved, rushed headlong into the blazing fuel and pulled the injured tank commander clear of the roaring flames. Using his own body and his bare hands, Sergeant Goerdt extinguished the flames which covered the man’s body. In the performance of this heroic act, Sergeant Goerdt himself sustained exceedingly painful injuries, but his instantaneous and heroic action speak most eloquently of himself, the unit of which he is a member, the State of Minnesota, and the National Guard which he so heroically served.