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 Major (Quartermaster Corps) Andrew S. Marino, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy in that he saved the life of a six-year-old child at the risk of his own. About 10 a.m. on 30 May 1969, during a torrential rainfall, Major Marino, who was inside his quarters at Fort Clayton Canal Zone, was alerted by screaming of children from outside. Looking out of the window he saw two children peering into a rain drain that runs underground across the street from Major Marino’s quarters. Without hesitation he ran outside and discovered that a third boy, who had been playing with the other two near the drainage ditch, had fallen in and had been washed by the rapid current of water into a culvert where he had become wedged. Major Marino, with the help of a neighbor, removed a manhole cover over the underground pipe and heard cries for help coming from about fifteen yards upstream. He quickly located two lines, tied one around his waist, and, carrying the other, entered the ditch. The force of the water immediately knocked him off his feet, but he regained his footing and let the water carry him into the drain where he saw that the child was hanging perilously onto a pipe, trying to keep his head above the swollen water. While attempting to place the boy on his back, he dropped the spare rope which entangled itself around his arms and neck. Attempting to free himself from the rope, the child slipped away from his arms and was carried deeper into the pipe by the turbulent water. Major Marino again rushed after the child and this time was able to safely secure him and pulled him to safety. Major Marino’s intuitive reaction to the peril of the board, at the risk of his own life, was in the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon him and the United States Army.