The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting the Soldier’s Medal (Posthumously) to Sergeant George W. Howard, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Company C, 4th Battalion, First Basic Combat Training Brigade, United States Army Training Center Infantry, Fort Lewis, Washington, on 16 November 1968 in Tacoma, Washington. Sergeant Howard, while on pass, entered the ShopRite store in the Lake City area of Tacoma, Washington while an armed robbery was in progress by two masked men, one with a pistol and one with a shotgun. It was evident to Sergeant Howard, a combat veteran, that the two men were highly excited and irrational in their actions and innocent people were in mortal danger. Sergeant Howard on his own initiative, with complete disregard for his own safety or well-being, grabbed the bandit armed with a pistol and valiantly attempted to disarm him. In the ensuing struggle for possession of the weapon Sergeant Howard was shot in the chest and mortally wounded. Sergeant Howard’s heroic conduct in this emergency is in the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.