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 Specialist Fourth Class Henry E. Letort, United States Army, for heroism at the risk of life not involving conflict with an armed enemy at Biloxi, Mississippi, on 17 August 1969. On that date he selflessly imperiled his own life in the continuous search for and rescue of persons while braving the full fury of Hurricane CAMILLE. As a crew member of an amphibious vehicle, Specialist Letort, and the other driver crew-man, knowing that many people were in dire need of assistance, voluntarily spurned the safety of shelter although superior officers had decreed the suspension of military evacuation duties pending abatement of the storm. As the driver threaded the vehicle through falling power lines, tumbling automobiles and deadly flying missiles, Specialist Letort worked on board the vehicle and in the water around it. In the darkness, in winds of near tornado velocity and in abnormally high tides, he extricated frighten victims from all manner of predicaments. With great physical strength and endurance, he collected people from trees, utility poles, wreckage, rooftops and attics, bringing them aboard the amphibian vehicle. Continuously faced with distress calls, Specialist Letort immediately and unhesitatingly responded. One such call came from a floundering disabled sister craft, transporting 13 refugees, including a suspected heart attack patient, about to be washed out to sea. Specialist Letort, and his fellow crewman, through intricate maneuvering and skillful teamwork retrieved the group. On the emergency run to seek medical attention for the stricken man now aboard the vehicle, Specialist Letort again subjected himself to the lethal hazards of the storm by diving into the ominous waters to bring three children and an elderly woman to the vehicle from their perches on a utility pole and in a tree. Delivering the afflicted to a local hospital, Specialist Letort was confronted with the task of obtaining oxygen to replace the hospital’s exhausted supply, on which depended the immediate and emergency treatment of the seriously ill. Once more he voluntarily placed his life in jeopardy in the treacherous environment to transport the oxygen from a distant location. No sooner was this mission completed than Specialist Letort, answering yet another call for help, proceeded to the rescue two youths trapped in water, inside a house, in imminent danger of being crushed by a severely weakened huge tree. Completing this rescue task and returning to his original station just prior to dawn, Specialist Letort had completed a full night of lifesaving rescue actions, subjecting himself at all times to the total challenge of one of the most powerful hurricanes ever recorded with complete disregard for the consequences. By his courageous action and humanitarian regard for his fellow man, in the dedication of his service to his country, Specialist Letort has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Army.