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 Ronald J. Seymour, 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 to brave the full fury of Hurricane CAMILLE and the continuous search for and rescue of persons exposed to the raging storm. As a driver of an amphibious vehicle, and with one crew man, Specialist Seymour, knowing that many people were in dire need of assistance, voluntarily spurned the safety of shelter although his superiors had decreed the suspension of military evacuation duties pending abatement of the storm. Of his own volition, he continued to thread the vehicle through falling power lines, tumbling automobiles and deadly flying missiles in the darkness of the night, locating frightened victims, extricating them from all manner of predicaments, and delivering them to safe havens. Operating under circumstances far exceeding the prescribed capabilities of the amphibian vehicle, Specialist Seymour; with great strength, skill, and determination; continued to patrol the area. Monitoring a distress call from a sister craft at about the height of the storm, he immediately set out to retrieve the 13 persons aboard the floundering vehicle. Overcoming monstrous obstacles, he successfully collected the group, which included a person with symptoms of heart attack. Subsequently, while en route to deliver these passengers, three children were taken aboard from a utility poll and an elderly woman was plucked from the swirling waters. Arriving at a local hospital, he quickly volunteered to obtain a re-supply of urgently needed oxygen. Facing the greatest storm with unusual abandon, he successfully obtained and delivered the vital materials. No sooner had Specialist Seymour completed this mission then he was again confronted with yet another call for assistance. Once more he set himself and the vehicle against the hurricane. This time he found two youths trapped in a flooded house located under an ominously leaning huge tree, which portended imminent destruction should the winds send it crashing into the house. Carefully he executed the necessary maneuvers to effect the rescue. Returning to the point of initial assignment just prior to dawn, Specialist Seymour had completed a full night of lifesaving rescue work, subjected 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 Seymour has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Army.