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 Billy R. Bower, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy on 27th of July 1968, at Lawson Army Airfield Fort Benning, Georgia. A UH-1C helicopter had lost his tail rotor in flight and subsequently crashed on the airfield in a mass of flames and twisted metal. Sergeant Bower, seeing the tragedy, raced to the burning wreckage and unhesitatingly entered the cargo compartment in an effort to free an injured passenger. His effort seemed futile, as foam being sprayed on the fire was blinding him and covering the victim. Realizing that the flames were only inches from the fuel cell and that he was virtually unprotected from the heat, Sergeant Bower continued to try to free the passenger and keep him from being injured further. After the passenger had been freed, Sergeant Bower rushed to the other side of the aircraft to help in freeing the copilot. Discovering that the man was pinned in and unconscious, Sergeant Bower and a fellow soldier literally tore the door from the aircraft. Seeing they could not free him, Sergeant Bower assisted in lifting the left side of the burning aircraft so the man could be released from his seat and moved to a safer location. These valorous actions performed by Sergeant Bower represent heroism and devotion to duty in the truest form. Sergeant Bower’s disregard for his own safety is evidence of his sincere dedication to his fellow soldiers and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army.