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 John L. Burns, Jr., United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy at Izmir, Turkey, on 7 October 1968. During the discharging of cargo from his M/V MARMARIS , on berth at Alsancak Pier, Izmir, Turkey, Sergeant Burns with disregard for personal safety, prevented possible death or injury to a Turkish civilian employee. Sergeant Burns was observing the cargo discharging procedures approximately forty feet from where the discharged cargo was being loaded aboard warehouse trailers. While off-loading a draft of cargo, one large container and several steel bars, each 4 inches in diameter, 15 feet long and weighing 600 pounds, the ship’s winch jerk, caused one of the metal bars to slip and fall from a height of 45 feet. Sergeant Burns saw the bar dropping and could have easily left from the danger area to safety. Instead, he lunged forward into the path of the plunging bar and pushed the civilian employee to safety. His unselfish action placed his own life in jeopardy and resulted in injury to his right foot. This heroic act averted certain tragedy and reflects great credit upon Sergeant Burns, the Military Traffic Management and Terminal Service, and the United States Army.