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 First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Arthur R. Jacobs, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy at Sterling Airport, Sterling, Massachusetts, on 12 February 1970. On that date Lieutenant Jacobs was assisting civilian pilots and Federal Aviation Agency authorities in the direction of search and rescue operations of a downed civilian private aircraft. While designating search areas from inside the operations section, Lieutenant Jacobs heard the Mayday cry over the airport intercom and rushed outside just in time to see one of the search aircraft, with its pilot and observer, abort on takeoff and crash into another plane that was parked on the ramp. Both of the planes immediately burst into flames. Noticing a man hanging upside down from the aircraft, Lieutenant Jacobs without regard for his personal safety, jumped onto the burning wing to pull him from the wreckage. As Lieutenant Jacobs was desperately trying to save him a fuel tank ruptured and it’s volatile contents ignited. After pulling the man to safety, Lieutenant Jacobs and a State Trooper attempted to fight their way through the inferno to see the pilot, but the intensity of the conflagration drove the rescue efforts back. He again returned to the site of the wreckage and helped direct operations of the fire department and the State Police until officials of the Federal Aviation Agency arrived. Lieutenant Jacobs’ calm approach and demonstrated professionalism in the face of grave personal danger was directly responsible for saving the life of the observer and contributed greatly in minimizing damage to the other aircraft parked in the vicinity of the crash site. By his courageous action and humanitarian regard for his fellow man, in the dedication of his service to his country, Lieutenant Jacobs has reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.