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 Jimmy M. Hess, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy as a member of Field Unit A, Communications Support Element, United States Strike Command, on 17 June 1969 which saved the life of an Air Force Officer of Headquarters, United States Strike Command. While serving as jump master on a helicopter during a USSTRICOM parachute proficiency training exercise in the vicinity of Sun City, Florida, Sergeant Hess, upon discovering that a parachutist had become hooked to the left landing skid and was suspended under the helicopter, immediately suspended jump operations and methodically planned a rescue effort. He extended himself far outside the door of the aircraft in the face of very strong, buffeting winds and, after determining that the parachutist was conscious and apparently alert, made repeated efforts to free the parachute web saddle which was caught on the ground handling wheel lug. After several efforts to free the parachutist, Sergeant Hess considered further pursuit of this course of action inadvisable due to the uncertainty of the parachutist’s condition after being suspended in an upside down position in a strong wind stream for approximate 10 minutes. He ruled out other courses of action which would have resulted in serious injury to the parachutist. Sergeant Hess then decided that the aircraft should be sent to a position which would permit removal of the parachutist by ground troops. To do this, the parachutist first had to be secured to the skid to prevent him from separating from the aircraft below a safe altitude. Sergeant Hess again extended himself outside the helicopter door and down to the skid and secured the parachutist, using spent static lines. To accomplish this, Sergeant Hess risked his life by being suspended outside the helicopter in a high wind stream without a parachute and held to the helicopter by only a shoulder harness for a period of 3 to 4 minutes. After the parachutist was securely lashed to the skid, the helicopter was lowered to a waiting ground party where he was removed and rushed to medical aid. Throughout the recovery effort Sergeant Hess remained calm, alert, decisive and determined to safely recover the parachutist. His actions were completely selfless and courageous and directly contributed to the saving of the parachutist’s life, the lives of the other eight personnel aboard the helicopter, and the helicopter itself. These actions cited reflect the utmost credit upon Sergeant Hess, the United States Strike Command, United States Army and the Department of Defense.